Clivia Flower Plant

Clivia nobilis is only found in the Eastern Cape Province, specifically from the Sundays River Mouth, extending up along the coast to the Mbashe River area, with colonies occurring as far inland as in the vicinity of Grahamstown, the Olifants Kop pass. 

Clivia nobilis is found under evergreen forest, low bush (thicket) and amongst dune vegetation. The inland populations are found in wooded kloofs where they grow on riverbanks, rocky outcrops and along forest margins. 

 

The populations growing primary in coastal dune vegetation and sand are normally more exposed, with the plants near the top of dunes grow in full sunlight.

The inflorescence consists of an umbel of 20-60 florets borne on a peduncle about 300 mm long The florets are pinkish yellow to dark red with green tips . They are pendulous tubular, about 11 mm wide and 25 - 40 mm long.

 

 

South Africa Post proud to released  a miniature sheet consist of six stamps feature the Clivia Flower Plant,  which are found in South Africa, on August 8, 2006.  The sheet depict Clivia miniata, Clivia gardenii, Clivia nobilis, Clivia  robusta , Clavia Mirabilis and Clivia  caulescens .

Clavia miniata, Clavia gardenii, Clavia robusta and Clavia caulescens seedlings flower after four to five years. Clavia nobilis will flower after seven or eight years. It is reported that Clavia mirabilis also takes about 6 years to flower.

 
 

Clivia miniata (Natal lily, bush lily) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clivia of the family Amaryllidaceae, native to damp woodland habitats in South Africa.

It grows to a height of about 45 cm , and flowers are red, orange or yellow, with a faint, but very sweet perfume.

It is sometimes known in cultivation as "Kaffir lily".However, this name is also confusingly applied to the genus Schizostylis. It contains small amounts of lycorine, making it poisonous.

 

 

 

Originating mostly from Kwazulu-Natal, Clavia gardenii makes a beautiful addition to the shady garden.

It is apparently able to tolerate fairly dry conditions, the roots are fleshy and have water storage capabilities.

This makes it a wonderful water-wise garden plant. It is also an excellent pot specimen that requires a well drained humus-rich potting medium.

If planted in very deep shade, flowering may be adversely affected. 

Clivia also do not thrive in sunny conditions, becoming yellow and stunted. They should be planted in a shady position with plenty of compost and bone-meal added to the soil.

 
 

Clivia caulescens is a long-lived species from subtropical South Africa.  It grows as an epiphyte on trees in the wild, as well as growing in soil, or on humus-covered rocks.

The species name "caulescens" refers to the tall stem from which the leaves emerge.   

 
 

Its leaves are more robust than the common Clivia and are held more upright, giving the plant somewhat of an appearance of a Bromeliad.

Flowers tend to appear in the spring or summer, although in cultivation, flowering can happen at any point in the year, which is fairly unusual for Clivia species.  The 1½ foot tall flower stalk typically has 15 to 20 blooms. The flower color is a vivid red-salmon with green edges.  This species can flower as early as 4 years old. 

Clivia caulescens may be able to cross-breed it with other Clivia species, to create new and unique hybrids!

 

 

 

Clavia mirabilis is a newly discovered species whose identity was only confirmed in February 2001.

As the natural habitat of this species now enjoys maximum protection and no population is known outside the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Clavia mirabilis remains extremely rare in cultivation.

In cultivation, Clavia  mirabilis enjoys a humus rich medium and a half-shady environment.  Taking into account its semi-arid habitat, the species would prefer a fairly dry condition during summer months. 

Clivia robusta is probably one of the tallest members of the genus as it can grow to a height of 1.6 m in ideal conditions. It is a strong grower and thrives in swamp conditions. The flowers are pendulous and range from various shades of orange to yellow with green tips. Clivia robusta is long-lived, produces buttress roots in very wet areas.

Clivia robusta has strap shaped, broad leaves which can reach 180mm in length. The habit is upright. Plants flower in late autumn to midwinter, producing pendulous flowers ranging from pale to dark orange with green tips. The peduncles or flower spikes are strong and hold the inflorescence above the foliage. The berries are round, green ripening to orange. Under ideal conditions,