Cyrtanthus breviflorus Fire Lily PFAF Plant Database

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Cyrtanthus breviflorus - Baker.

Common Name

Fire Lily

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Synonyms

Anoiganthus breviflorus. Harv.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Small streams, wet grassland or marshy slopes, to 3000 metres [90].

Range

S. Africa.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cyrtanthus breviflorus is an evergreen Bulb growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf 12-Jan. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Habitats
Bog Garden;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves. Edible Uses: A food plant[177]. No more details are given.

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moist soil[90]. Requires a free-draining light soil in full sun[188]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5° if it is growing in a warm sheltered position in a well-drained soil[200]. It is best given some protection over winter[1]. Plants are deciduous in colder climates[200]. It is best to keep the plants fairly dry when they are resting[200]. A very variable plant[90].

Propagation
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe, otherwise in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of offsets after flowering.

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Expert comment

Author
Baker.

Botanical References
200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[90]Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs

Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[188]Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers

Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

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