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wachendorfia

Scientific Name: Wachendorfia

Family: Haemodoraceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Wachendorfia: The Striking Red Root

Wachendorfia, commonly known as red root, is a genus of striking flowering plants, particularly Wachendorfia thyrsiflora, known for its tall golden flower spikes, that can add a dramatic touch to gardens, especially marshy or waterside settings.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant grows from a corm, a bulb-like underground stem.
  • The term "red root" suggests the presence of pigments in the root system.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant grows from a corm, a bulb-like underground stem.
  • The term "red root" suggests the presence of pigments in the root system.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Wachendorfia Burm.
  • Accepted Species: There are 4 accepted species names within the genus Wachendorfia.
  • Family: Haemodoraceae
  • Wachendorfia thyrsiflora Burm. is sometimes referenced with the species authority "Burm."
  • Synonyms for Wachendorfia thyrsiflora: Wachendorfia elata Salisb.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Wachendorfia is endemic to the Cape Province in South Africa, specifically the winter rainfall area.
  • Wachendorfia thyrsiflora grows in seasonally or permanently wet areas.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Wachendorfia thyrsiflora is a tall evergreen geophyte (a plant with an underground storage organ).
  • It is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial.
  • Leaves are arching and sword-shaped.
  • Flowers are star-shaped and yellow, arranged in panicles (branched flower stalks).
  • Wachendorfia thyrsiflora is the tallest of the Wachendorfia species, typically growing to 1-2 meters (approximately 3-6 feet) in height.
  • Flower spikes can reach up to 6 feet tall.
  • The plant has pleated foliage.

Ecological Role

  • Wachendorfia species are insect-pollinated.

Quirky Facts

  • Some individuals in a population of Wachendorfia produce dimorphic flowers, meaning the flowers have different forms within the same species.

Common Names

  • Red Root
  • Bloodroot
  • Rooikanol (specifically for Wachendorfia paniculata)
  • Hairy Mirrorface (likely for Wachendorfia paniculata)

Further Information

  • Digging Dog Mail Order Nursery offers Wachendorfia thyrsiflora.
  • Images and information can be found on Wikimedia Commons.