Common names: candelabra flower, king candelabra, chandelier lily, chandelier plant, sore-eye flower (Eng.), ajuinbol, koningskandelaarblom, kandelaarblom, kandelaarlelie, lantanter, Maartblom, marsblom, perdespookbossie, rolbossie, seeroogblom and tanteletant (Afr.)
A large bulbous perennial from which flowers emerge between February and March. The flowerhead forms a huge sphere, up to 600 mm in diameter, with between 20 to 80 flowers. These are large, 6-tepalled, pink to red and are soon followed by the 3-sided seed capsules.The leaves appear from about May, after the flowerhead has dried and broken off. There are generally 6 large tongue-shaped leaves spread flat on the ground. The margins are often fringed. Leaves start to die down from about October and the bulb lies dormant during summer.Distribution
These plants occur on sandy lowland coastal areas from southern Namaqualand to the Cape Peninsula and Plettenberg Bay.Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus Brunsvigia honours the House of Brunswick.
The common name kandelaarblom was first noted in about 1750. Many of the common names refer to the candelabra-like inflorescence and have been extended to several other species in the family with a similar appearance.
Some of the names refer to flowering time, while others such as rolbossie and perdespookbossie refer to the inflorescence which tumbles (rol) along and which may spook horses (perde) in so doing!
Apparently if you stared long enough at the flower you got sore eyes, hence the name sore-eye flower! A more likely explanation is that pollen in the eyes would account for the irritation. Hesse reported that the very first kandelaarsbloem to flower in Europe was in the Academy Garden of Helmstad, but no date is given.
Ecology
The candelabra flower, like many other amaryllids, has adapted to the dry period of the year by resting underground in the form of a large bulb. In the Western Cape the dry season is summer. All above-ground parts dry out during this time to help prevent moisture loss through transpiration. Just before the rainy season is due to start the huge flowerhead appears.
Birds, including sunbirds, are the chief pollinators. They perch on the sturdy flower stems, receiving a reward of nectar for their pollination activities.
Once the seed begins to develop the flower stalks elongate and the inflorescence dries out. The dry flower stalks snap off and the wind sends the spherical heads tumbling along. The tips of the inflorescence containing the seeds break off, so spreading them. They are fleshy, with a very short viability period, and germinate immediately. Seeds may even germinate while still on the flowerhead. This strategy allows the seedling a full rainy season to develop sufficiently to withstand its first dry period underground.
Leaves usually appear well after the flowers. Because both the inflorescence and the leaves lose relatively large amounts of moisture, this adaptation prevents large quantities of moisture being lost at any one time, reducing stress on the plants.
Pests and diseases: These plants have a toxic principle which prevents them from being eaten by moles and mole rats which tend to be the scourge of many other bulbous plants planted out in the garden. They suffer very few other problems.
That’s just spectacular, Aletta! Always interesting to read the botanical information.
Thank you for participating in Floral Friday Fotos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! I love this challenge!
LikeLike
A very special plant. Thank you for the info.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ingmarie! I find the info very interesting too!
LikeLike
i can see why it’s called candelabra flower! thanks for the info, Aletta! it is beautiful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an amazing plant.
LikeLike
Die rooi het goed uitgekom. Ja ‘n rolbossie!
LikeLike
Rolbossie? Ja – dit verstaan ek. Pragtige blom en jou rooie het mooi uitgekom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Aletta,
thanks for information about this amazing flower!
Have a nice weekend,
moni
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was a pleasure, Moni! Have a nice weekend too!
LikeLike
So lovely. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sylvia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! I’ve never seen this flower before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then I am glad I could show it to you!
LikeLike
Lyk rerig soos n kandelaar! Ek onthou hul nog van my jong dae. Later jare het mens dit nie meer gesien omdat grond alles bewerk is
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dis waar! Dit lyk regtig soos ‘n kandelaar!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The common name is very appropriate. Tom The Backroads Traveller
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought so too!
LikeLike
I’m wanting this flower and bet it would grow in Houston, that is if I can find one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmm… I wonder if you will?
LikeLike
A special and beautiful flower. Thanks for the info. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks , Amy!
LikeLike
Great photos and info
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
That’s a lot of information on just one flower. I found it most interesting! Quite a flower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you enjoyed the info! It is an amazing flower.
LikeLike