Gethyllis cavidens has a white stem covered in black spots that opens into blue-green, twisty, tentacle-like leaves.
Description:
Gethyllis is a southern African genus from the Amaryllis family with unusual, often spirally twisted foliage held in sheaths and lovely flowers and fruits. In order to avoid the stress of their dry environments they flower in midsummer, fruit in autumn, and grow foliage in winter. If ever there was a plant that looked more sea creature or alien than botanical, it would be G. cavidens. It has a white stem that emerges from a tan sheath covered in burgundy-black spots and then opens into blue-green, twisty, tentacle-like leaves. The white flowers have six tepals around bright yellow anthers and are strongly and sweetly fragrant. The yellow berry-like, finger-length fruits are fragrant when ripe. Grow in a deep container in sharply draining mix. When plants are dormant move to a cool, dry place and do not water. Extremely rare. You'll be one of the few people in the world to grow this species. Our nursery-grown bulbs are adult blooming size as of 2023.
Common Name: Kukumakranka - [Spring B&B Pre-Order]
Family: Amaryllidaceae (The Amaryllis Family)
Zone Hardiness: 9-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4-8"
Width: under 4"
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour: Yellow
Class: Deciduous
Type: Tender
Bloom Time: Summer
Soil Moisture: Dry
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: Yes
Berries:
Benefits: Bees
Deer Resistant: Unknown
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Information is limited but likely from the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape.
Award: AGM
Geogrpahical Origin: Europe and Africa - Southern Africa and Madagascar
*The Plant Encyclopedia is updated each year to provide a representation of the plants we offer, have offered, and may offer again. However, it is not a live inventory of our stock. Not all plants will be available at all times or in every year. Use the link above to enquire about the availability of this plant. Additionally, we carry many plants that have not yet been entered into our database so please enquire if you don’t see what you’re looking for. Plants are available only for on-site sales at our nursery in Richmond, BC, Canada or for shipping within Canada. We do not ship internationally. However, if you are visiting the nursery from afar, we can arrange for the necessary permits and paperwork for you to take plants back with you to your country.