Deciduous
Shedding of leaves at the
end of the growing season. |
 |
Eye
A bud on a tuber or crown
that grows following season. |
|
|
|
| Family |
Colchicaceae |
| Name |
Sandersonia aurantiaca |
| Common Names |
Christmas bells, Chinese-lantern lily |
| Featured Plant |
October 2007 |
|
Sandersonia is a deciduous perennial that climbs weakly.
It survives the winter as a V-shapped tuber.
There is an eye at each end of the tuber that can sprout into a new plant, but it is usual that only one eye sprouts.
The tuber can be split in the middle to encourage both eyes to sprout.
The delicate golden yellow bell shapped flowers appear in the summer, followed by green fruits encased in the old flower petals.
These ripen in the autumn and split open to release numerous light brown seeds.
|
