Description
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 2 cm across and they sit on 25-30 cm 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 not over-dry summer dormancy after. The corms are small and they desiccate easily, so nothing too severe when it comes to its summer rest. 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.
