GLORIOSA SUPERBA

I was doing my gardening the other day and when I looked up, I was greeted by this open flower of the Gloria Lily, Tiger Claw or Flame Lily (Family: Liliaceae). I didn't see it coming, otherwise I would have kept a constant lookout for its developing floral bud.

I bought the rhizomes of this plant some months ago and grew it for as long a time. Every time it grew to a certain height, I would accidentally damage or break off the flimsy, soft and herbaceous stem and never had the chance to see it bloom in my hands. That is, until now. Just recently, I had to tease the leafy tendrils from the Hamelia patens and drape the long growth onto a hook on the wall to support it. I guess it paid off.

Now there is another developing floral bud and I am keeping vigil to see how many flowers it can produce from this single stem alone.

MOLINERA CAPITULATA

This is a shade loving plant that looks like a palm or a monocot but is not a true palm. From the Liliaceae or Hypoxidaceae Family and known by the common names Palm Grass or Weevil Lily, it also goes by the other more recognizable synonym Curculigo capitulata.

The shade tolerant plant is used in landscaping primarily for its palm-like leaves and less for its small inconspicuous flowers. These photos taken at Labrador Nature Reserve's entrance roundabout had its flowers crawling with small snails.

Links on the plants are shown here:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molineria_capitulata
2. http://floreznursery.blogspot.com/2009/04/molineria-capitulata-syn-curculigo.html
3. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200028039
4. http://www.natureproducts.net/Forest_Products/Ornamentals/Curculigo.html

DRIMIOPSIS KIRKII

This is yet another very handsome plant. It is the variegated form of the foliage plant Drimiopsis kirkii (common name: Giant Squill) from the Liliaceae Family. If the common form is already unique enough, then the variegated form must be truly special.

Hopefully, we can propagate more of this in time to come. A link on the Giant Squill is attached below:

http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=Drimiopsis_sp

TRICYRTIS HIRTA

I only came across the Toad Lily (scientific name: Tricyrtis hirta; Family: Liliaceae) last year and purchased a few pots of them. Then I forgot about them completely.

Incidentally, I came across this name on the web recently and suddenly I was reminded of this plant all over again. The following day, I saw the few pots that I purchased and they were flowering beautifully. It was like deja vu, if you know what I mean? Did the plant call out to me?

I suppose it is called the Toad Lily because of the spotted dots on the petals? But how could someone give this amazingly pretty plant such a name, which does not encapsulate the true allure of this uncommon herbaceous plant?

A link is attached below:

http://www.wildchicken.com/nature/garden/nature_200_077.htm