Brunsvigia herrei

Dennis Tsang

Brunsvigia herrei is endemic to central and southern parts of the Richtersveld, South Africa and is not common in cultivation. In its natural habitats, bulbs of the species are usually found in dry open flat land or on gentle slopes. Bulbs are deep seated in heavy soil mixed with pebbles and rocks. Bulbs found growing in central Richtersveld are subject to full sun whereas bulbs from southern Richtersveld are usually found growing underneath low bushes with associated species such as Gethyllis britteniana and Hessea zeyheri. Flowers of Brunsvigia herrei are very similar to that of Brunsvigia bosmaniae. Major differences between the two species include:

1. There is a red line along the leaf margins of B. herrei but B. bosmaniae leaves are pure green.
2. Habitats of B. herrei are restricted to the Richtersveld but B. bosmaniae are quite widespread in Namaqualand.
3. It seems that the flower head of B. herrei is smaller than B. bosmaniae though the flowers of both species are light pink.

Dennis Tsang (Mar 14, 2000)
Discovery Bay, Hong Kong

Dennis Tsang