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

Crocosmia or Chasmanthe?

Here is a plant identification question for California or other
warm-climate gardeners.  There is a very common bulb in bloom right
now in many of the gardens in my older Oakland, California
neighborhood.  (This area is Sunset Zone 16: we get no more than a few
degrees of frost on the coldest winter days.)  The plant has linear
leaves about 2 feet long and stalks of red-orange tubular flowers to 3
or 4 feet.  Reading through the Sunset Western Garden Book CD I see
two choices.  Is this Crocosmia crocosmiiflora (Montbretia) or
Chasmanthe aethiopica?  

Of the genus Crocosmia, the Sunset CD says, "Small orange, red, yellow
flowers bloom in summer on branched stems."  Most of this fits, except
the summer bloom.   The flower stems don't have many branches, but
there can be one or two per stalk.  Of the species, Crocosmia
crocosmiiflora, the CD says, "A favorite for generations, montbretias
can still be seen in older gardens where they have spread freely as
though native, producing orange-crimson flowers 1-2 in across on
3-4-ft stems.  Sword-shaped leaves to 3 ft., 1/2-1 in. wide."  The
cultural description absolutely fits: they have indeed naturalized.
(I've seen them in country gardens north of the Bay Area too.)   

Chasmanthe aethiopica is described as "Fans of  2 ft., light green
swordlike leaves.  One-sided 2-3-ft., narrow spikes of bright orange
red in late winter or early spring.  Corms multiply rapidly.
Extremely showy plant in a dull season."  This fits too and the season
is correct.  However, there is no mention of old gardens and
naturalizing.

So, I think I need botanical help.  Can anyone suggest a
distinguishing botanical feature by which I can separate the two?  Or
might I be looking at something else entirely?  

--
Jim Ringland
Oakland, California
USDA Zone 9 - Sunset Zone 16
jtringl@wco.com
Follow-Ups:
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index