Namaquanula

This is a small genus within the Amaryllidaceae, seemingly containing just two valid species (and several synonyms).

Namaquanula is found only in Southern Namibia and W. South Africa. The genus is very little known and very rarely reported, it may be that there are other species and other stations for the current species.

It is said, controversially, that Namaquanula is most closely related to Hessea, and indeed it looks a little like a robust Hessea when in flower, but it has strong affinities with Brunsvigia and shares many features with the dwarf species of that genus. These include numerous , packed, brittle bulb tunics, the flowering season in summer (far earlier than most Hessea), and the large rounded seeds.

Cultivation does not seem to be difficult however there are few first-hand reports of cultivation. Propagation is only by seed.

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Namaquanula bruynsii

Namaquanula bruynsii

A little-known species, flowering in late summer, when it makes crowded, hemispherical heads, of good-sized pale, flesh-pink flowers, darker in the throat and contrasted with red anthers (which yield cream pollen).

In cultivation it does well in pots in well-drained, sandy loam with full light. It must be kept totally dry during its dormant period in late spring, but needs to be started in July, far earlier than many summer-dormant bulbs, with a deluge of water. After this flower buds appear within a few days.

After flowering plants can be watered frequently, as long as their compost is sufficiently well-drained. Each watering should contain weak feed, to build bulb size. The plants remain wintergreen, on a Mediterranean growth cycle, until dormancy in early summer. Bulbs must then be kept totally dry.

A rare species, described only in 2005, though, as seems to be common with "new" S. African species, it was known, but nameless, for very many years before that. It occurs on the uppermost plateaux of the Tiras Mountains in S.W. Namibia at altitudes of over 1,900m.

Pictures © Connall Oosterbroek, with permission.

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Namaquanula bruynsiinambrubru £69.50
4 year bulbs from seed, these will flower at 5 years old.
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