Hesperocallis undulata
| Hesperocallis undulata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 0.5' |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Early Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Hesperocallis undulata (common name: desert lily)
Propagation: Seed - sow in late winter or as soon as ripe in a deep pot in a very free draining compost in a greenhouse. Sow the seed thinly so that it does not have to be pricked out, and grow the young seedlings on without disturbance for their first 2 years - give them very little water during their dormant period, merely making sure that the compost does not dry out completely. Divide the young bulbs up into individual deep pots when they have completed their second growing season and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least another year before planting them out during their dormant period.
Cultivation: Requires a very well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Plants are intolerant of temperatures below freezing, especially if this is coupled with wetness[1]. The bulbs like plenty of moisture when in growth in the spring[2] but must be kept dry when they are dormant[1].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is best grown in a cold greenhouse or treated as a half-hardy annual[3], though they can succeed outdoors in very sheltered parts of south-west Britain[4]. Plants are very difficult to induce into flower in Britain and are best grown in a greenhouse in almost pure sand with some leafmold. Water should be withheld in the summer[5].
The flowers open in the evening and scent the air around them[4].
Bulbs are often found at a great depth in the soil[1].
Range: South-western N. America,
Habitat: Dry sandy flats and gentle slopes below 750 metres in deserts and creosote bush scrub[6].
Edibility: Bulb - raw or cooked[7][6][8][9][10]. The bulbs can be baked or boiled[10]. Quite large, the bulb is up to 5cm in diameter[6] and is found up to 50cm below soil level[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.