Griffinia espiritensis

Jacob Knecht (January 16, 2006)

Griffinia espiritensis: taken in 2002 during my visit to Rio de Janeiro.

Dennis Tsang (7 October 2006)
Hong Kong

Dr. Alan Meerow

Origin: Espírito Santo State in south-eastern Brasil. The range of distribution may extend to Bahia State in eastern Brasil.

Habitat: Shady humid woodlands. Associated plants include Neomarica and species of family Commelinaceae.

Description of Plant: G. espiritensis is a medium-size species. The bulb is no larger than 5 cm in diameter and the foliage, which may be pure green in colour or spotted in certain forms, may reach 30 cm or more in length and up to 8 cm broad. The scape is highly variable in height, ranging from about 10 cm to 40 cm tall. The umbel comprises 5 to 10 scentless flowers which are also highly variable in shade from lilac to mauve, with or without white lines. According to Kevin Preuss, G. espiritensis can be grouped under the G. liboniana complex.

Varieties/Forms: G. espiritensis is an extremely variable species. Various forms / varieties of distinctive foliage markings, floral shade and size are observed, including the “alba-estrelada” form which refers the white lines in the middle of each of the tepal segments, resembling a white star, and the pure lilac variety “ituberae”.

Cultivation: G. espiritensis enjoys a warm and humid environment. Bulbs grow best in semi-shady environment and in well-drained soil of high organic content. This species is used as a landscaping material in Rio de Janeiro where bulbs are extensively cultivated as a ground cover or as an undergrowth to maintain top soil on slopes. In severe climates, bulbs should be grown in protected area or grown as an indoor plant. The major pest for G. espiritensis is mealy bugs. Frequent checking of the underside of foliage is highly recommended.

Further Reading / Information:
Plant Life 25:66-68,
Herbertia 44(2):31,
Classification of Griffinia (by Kevin Preuss) at :
http://www.amaryllis-plus.com/GriffiniaLink/Classification.htm.
For information of genus Griffinia: “Griffinia (Amaryllidaceae), A Critically Endangered Brazilian Geophyte with Horticultural Potential” by Alan Meerow, Kevin Preuss and Fernando Tombolato.

Dennis Tsang (7 October 2006)
Hong Kong