Gethyum

Gethyum

Gethyum is a small, bulbous, South American genus, varyingly said to belong to the Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae or even its own family the Gilliesiaceae as the flowers have three stamens instead of six. Some authorities believe that the correct name for this genus is Solaria.

Regarding it as Gethyum, the genus contains just two species Gethyum atropurpureum and Gethyum cuspidatum of which only one is in general cultivation and even this remains a rare and little known plant.

Gethyum come from areas of Chile which have a Mediterranean type climate. This is, in effect, a geographical "bulb belt" with mild, wet winters and hot dry summers. The flowers, which appear in Spring, are intricately structured with a resemblance to some orchids, especially the fly or insect-pollinated Australian species.

Gethyum atropurpureum

Gethyum atropurpureum

Gethyum atropurpureum is native to the area around Santiago in Chile. In truth it is more interesting than beautiful though I find its yellow-centred, virtually black flowers fascinating and they are produced in abundance, several to a bulb like black-velvet stars. Each is some 2cm across and they sit on 25-30cm stems.

The odour on the flowers is quite powerful and the plant is carrion-fly pollinated - I am sure you can do the maths on that! Interestingly, the anther filaments are united at the base into a ring (think daffodil trumpets).

It likes pretty standard conditions as might suit, for example a Fritillaria, good drainage, fertile, loam-based soil or compost and plenty of moisture when in growth in the spring, with a dry summer dormancy after. It is said that it may be better under frost free glass but this has not been needed here and it really is early days for making definitive pronouncements on a little known plant.

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Gethyum atropurpureumgetatratr £5.00
Flowering sized (and flowered), seed-raised bulbs.
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