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[HAW] S kirkii

(is anyone else out there)

Among the species with the most beautiful inflorescences, S. kirkii
undoubtedly takes pride of place. It is found in the coastal region of East
Africa from Mombasa to south of the Usambara Mountains, the home of the
African violet. This species produces probably the largest flowers in the
genus, almost 15 cm long. They are dense and capitately arranged, forming a
ball of flowers with a diameter of nearly 30 cm, borne on an erect
flower-stem to 60 cm long. the broadly strap-shaped, very stiff and dark
green leaves, to 1.8 m long, bear whitish-green markings. The variety
pulchra from Zanzibar Island has slightly smaller leaves, more waxy margins
and buff-coloured or reddish markings. It is even prettier and has easily
the most decoratives leaves in this genus.

Frances Verrity
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