This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

chasmanthes

	Cyndi Norman wrote:
	"The biggest problem is confusion over its name.  It has been called
Montbretia, Tritonia, Crocosmia, and, at one time, was labeled botanically
as Antholyza, from which it got its common name, "Aunt Eliza."  The correct
botanical name is Chasmanthe aethiopica.

	Cyndi, I think that much more than the names have caused confusion.
I remember when
	I referred to montbretias the outstanding plantswoman, Jana
Olson-Dobrinsky said she's
	ALWAYS heard they were chasmanthes BUT you own quoted description
of the common
	"fire lily" is one sided spike.  Crocosmias, monbretias, tritonias,
etc. are symmetrical.

	The popular Bressingham hybrids including Crocosmia x crocosmiflora
'Lucifer' is
	symmetrical, 6' tall and blazing vermillion to scarlet.  Crocosmia
'Solfaterrre' is a
	greatly loved but weak cultivar with bronze foliage and apricot
flowers.  As far as I
	can make out neither was ever a chasmanthe or is likely to be.

	In Berkeley where I've gardened for 28 years I thank Flora daily
for having escaped
	"chasmanthe" and "Oxalis pes-caprae" in my garden.  I don't believe
either is easily
	erradicated so GARDENER BEWARE LEST YOU LEAP BEFORE YOU'RE SURE
YOUR NOT
	PLANTING A WEED YOU WILL REGRET THE REST OF YOUR GARDENING LIFE!
	Michael D. Barclay, Wizard  opga@wenet.net  Kensington, CA Zones 16-17.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index