Clivia- after the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Charlotte Clive who first cultivated and
flowered the type specimen in England.
miniata - colour of red lead - referring to the flowers.
The world's love affair with South Africa's clivia began in the 1800's when specimens
were sent back to England from Kwazulu-Natal. In Victorian times this beautiful plant
was very popular for indoor use in England and Europe. The discovery of the yellow
flowered Clivia miniata (C. miniata var. citrina) in the late 1800's fuelled an interest
which still persists today.
Part of the fascination has been with the breeding of clivia, both between the four
species (C. nobilis, C. gardenii, C. caulescens, C. miniata ) and between forms and
colours within the species. Breeders select for specific traits in each generation
which produces pronounced qualities such as huge, broad petalled flowers, red, yellow
or apricot coloration, broad leaves, fan shaped leaf arrangement, variegation, dwarfism
and many others. Internationally, the most advanced breeding of Cliva is happening in
the Far East, most notably Japan.
Clivia miniata is a clump forming perennial with dark green, strap shaped leaves which
arise from a fleshy underground stem. The flowering heads of brilliant orange
(rarely yellow), trumpet shaped flowers appear mainly in spring (August to November)
but also sporadically at other times of the year. The deep green shiny leaves are a
perfect foil for the masses of orange flowers.
Clivia are endemic to southern Africa, meaning that they do not occur naturally
anywhere else in the world! The wild bush lily grows in the forests of Kwazulu-Natal,
Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Swaziland. The habitat may vary from subtropical coastal
forest to ravines in high altitude forest. The bush lily grows in dappled shade, often
in large colonies. The soil is well drained and humus rich. Occasionally they may be
found growing in the fork of a tree.
Sadly in many areas colonies of wild bush lilies have been destroyed by harvesting
for traditional medicine and also by plant collectors. The rhizomes are reportedly
extremely toxic but are used medicinally for various purposes. |
