Sprekelia

Sprekelia formosissima

The Jacob Lilies ( Sprekelia ) are a genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Amaryllidoideae within the family of Amaryllis ( Amaryllidaceae ). The approximately two species are native to Central America. Since the shape of the flower is reminiscent of the cross of the Knights of St. Jacob, have common names like Jacob lily naturalized in different languages.

• 4.1 Notes and references

Sprekelia formosissima

Sprekelia formosissima should be the form most beautiful among all the species that were once thought to Amaryllis.

Description

The Sprekelia formosissima is similar in structure to the Knights stars, although it reaches only about plant height of about 30 centimeters and is therefore smaller. The sword-shaped, basal leaves are much more delicate. The reddish, hollow stem inflorescence bears, in contrast to Hippeastrum, only a cross-like, ruby ​​flower that develops from a rather long neck bulb. The onion itself is round, almost as big as a hyacinth bulb and surrounded by a dark brown onion ceiling.

Culture conditions

During the growing season in the spring formed from the small bulb of Sprekelia formosissima or more inflorescences. However, this comes only one to bloom. Only after the heyday of the leaf growth begins properly. After the growing season, the leaves are collected and the onion should spend the winter in a cool place, for it is not hardy for us. Since they can not tolerate strong disturbance during the resting period, this species is almost always held in Europe in pots.

System

The genus Sprekelia in 1755 by Lorenz Heister in description of a new race, 15, 19 The genus name honors Sprekelia Johann Heinrich von Spreckelsen ( 1691-1764 ), who sent the first Sprekelia copies of Lorenz Heister.

The genus belongs to the tribe Sprekelia Hippeastreae in the subfamily Amaryllidoideae within the family of Amaryllidaceae. Previously, she was also classified in the family Liliaceae. Other authors this genus to the family of the Alliaceae. The genera Sprekelia and Hippeastrum are closely related, as are like them, they were assigned to the genus Amaryllis earlier. Thus, the most familiar type, Sprekelia formosissima to find still with the old name Amaryllis formosissima in the older literature.

There are about two Sprekelia types:

• Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herb. ( Syn: Hippeastrum formosissimum (L.) Loudon ), Amaryllis formosa Salisb, Amaryllis karwinskii Zucc, Sprekelia glauca Lindl, Sprekelia stenopetala Lem, Sprekelia ringens C.Morren, Sprekelia karwinskii ( Zucc. ) M.Roem. .. .. Sprekelia heisteri Trew ex Kunth, Sprekelia clintiae ( Traub. ): It is the type species in Lorenz Heister: Description of a new race, in 1755, published 15, 19; its basionym is Amaryllis formosissima L..
• Sprekelia howardii Lehmiller: This species was 2000 David J. Lehmiller: A New Species of Sprekelia ( Amaryllidaceae ). In: Herbertia, 1999, 54, pp. 228-231 firstdescribed. It occurs only in southern Mexico. It is much smaller than Sprekelia formosissima and the bloom and the leaves are narrower.

The relationship of Sprekelia with Hippeastrum is so close that sometimes crosses are possible.

Pictures

Sprekelia formosissima:

Swell

• Pascal Vigneron, 2006: Sprekelia at amaryllidaceae.org
• Sprekelia at pacificbulbsociety.