Nerine bowdenii

For another plant known as Guernsey lily, see Nerine sarniensis.
Nerine bowdenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Subtribe: Strumariinae
Genus: Nerine
Species: N. bowdenii
Binomial name
Nerine bowdenii
Watson

Nerine bowdenii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is an herbaceous bulbous perennial, growing to 45 cm (18 in) tall by 8 cm (3 in), with strap-shaped leaves and large umbels of lily-like pink flowers in late summer and autumn.[1] The common names of the species are Cornish lily, Cape flower and Guernsey lily. However, it is neither a true lily nor from Cornwall or Guernsey, but originates from South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Drakensberg Mountains).[1]

The species was named in 1904 after Athelstan Cornish-Bowden who had sent bulbs of the plant to England from South Africa.[2][3][4]

Description

N. bowdenii bulbs are 12 to 14 centimetres (4.7 to 5.5 in) in circumference.[5] The bulbs are "shaped like old-fashioned Chianti bottles".[4] The plant has eight or more faintly-scented bright pink flowers with frilly tips, resembling finely-cut lilies.[6] Because the leaves do not appear until spring, the species can tolerate lower temperatures than most species in the genus Nerine.[7]

Cultivation

Nerine bowdenii is widely cultivated in temperate regions, where it requires warmth and shelter in colder areas, but is quite hardy, being able to withstand temperatures of −15 °C (5 °F).[4] It needs to be planted where it cannot be disturbed for several years, and blooms best when the bulbs are crowded. The species grows best in heat and well-drained soil.[8] However, it will not tolerate tropical or very humid weather.[9][10] It is suggested that colchicums and cyclamens are good choices of companion plants to grow with this species.[4]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[11]

Biochemistry

The bulbs of Nerine bowdenii contain an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, called ungeremine which may be suitable as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Ungeremine has also been isolated from Ungernia minor, Ungernia spiralis, Zephyranthes flava, Crinum asiaticum, Crinum augustum, Pancratium maritimum and Hippeastrum solandriflorum.[12] The bulbs also contain a number of alkaloids.[13]

Diseases

The plant virus, vallota mosaic virus has been found to infect Nerine bowdenii and other members of the Nerine genus in the UK.[14]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nerine bowdenii.
  1. 1 2 RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  2. ↑ Watson, W. (26 November 1904). "Nerine bowdenii". The Gardeners' Chronicle. 36 third series: 365.
  3. ↑ David, John (26 October 2007), "The Nerine bowdenii story" (PDF), Report of the Procedings of Hardy Nerine Study Day, RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee and the Nerine & Amaryllid Society
  4. 1 2 3 4 Rees, Alun (12 November 2013). "How to grow: Nerine bowdenii". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Nerine bowdenii". Holland Technical Service Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  6. ↑ Will, Giles (2007). Encyclopedia of exotic plants for temperate climates. Timber Press. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-88192-785-6.
  7. ↑ Burke, Don (2005). The complete Burke's backyard: the ultimate book of fact sheets. Murdoch Books. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-74045-739-2.
  8. ↑ Easton, Valorie; Hartlage, Richard (2002). Plant Life: Growing a Garden in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch Books. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-57061-305-0.
  9. ↑ Urquhart, Paul (2004). Growing Bulbs. Murdoch Books. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-74045-520-6.
  10. ↑ Raven, Sarah (2001). The bold and brilliant garden. frances lincoln ltd. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-7112-1752-2.
  11. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Nerine bowdenii". Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  12. ↑ Rhee IK, I; Appels N; Hofte B; Karabatak B; Erkelens C; Stark LM; Flippin LA; Verpoorte R (November 2004). "Isolation of the Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Ungeremine from Nerine bowdenii by Preparative HPLC Coupled On-Line to a Flow Assay System". Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 27 (11): 1804–1809. doi:10.1248/bpb.27.1804. PMID 15516727.
  13. ↑ Lyle, R. E.; E. A. Kielar; J. R. Crowder; W. C. Wildman (1960). "The Alkaloids of Nerine bowdenii W. Wats. and Crinum moorei J. D. Hook.". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 82 (10): 2620–2625. doi:10.1021/ja01495a057.
  14. ↑ Monger, W. A.; R. A. Mumford (18 July 2008). "Vallota mosaic virus infecting nerine in the UK". Plant Pathology. 57 (4): 768. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3059.2008.01850.x.
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