Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Hypoxidaceae Higher classification Hypoxidaceae | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Scientific name Rhodohypoxis Rank Genus | |
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Similar Eucomis, Bletilla, Nerine, Hypoxidaceae, Hypoxis | ||
Rhodohypoxis garden plants
Rhodohypoxis is a small genus of tuberous flowering plants in the family Hypoxidaceae, native to southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland). The small flowers, no more than 15 cm (6 in) high, are constructed so that their centres are not visible. Some species are in cultivation.
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Description and distribution
Rhodohypoxis species grow from small tubers. They flower in the summer and die down in the winter. When in flower, they are typically 2–15 cm (0.8–5.9 in) tall. The flowers are white, pink or red; the bases of the tepals bend inwards, so that the stamens and ovary are not visible. Rhodohypoxis species are found in the eastern part of southern Africa, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains in the province of Natal, South Africa and Lesotho. This is a region of summer rainfall with relatively dry winters.
- Rhodohypoxis baurii (Baker) Nel - South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
- Rhodohypoxis deflexa Hilliard & B.L.Burtt - Cape Province, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal
- Rhodohypoxis incompta Hilliard & B.L.Burtt - Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal
- Rhodohypoxis milloides (Baker) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt - Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal
- Rhodohypoxis rubella (Baker) Nel - Cape Province, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal
- Rhodohypoxis thodiana (Nel) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt - Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal
Cultivation
Rhodohypoxis baurii is not uncommon in cultivation. It is not reliably frost hardy, so is often grown in pots, protected in the winter. Various colour forms are available under cultivar names, e.g. 'Ruth' (pure white), 'Allbrighton' (pink) and 'Douglas' (red). Some other species, such as R. milloides, and hybrids with Hypoxis species are also grown.