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Hessea speciosa

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Photo by Rob Scott Shaw, Ispotnature.org.


Habitat in Namibia by Rob Scott Shaw, Ispotnature.org.


A white inflorescence by Conor Eastment Inaturalist.ca.


Drawing by Leigh Voigt.

Author: Deidré Anne Snijman, 1992
Family:  AMARYLLIDACEAE
Origin:  S Namibia, NW South Africa
Soil:  Sandy
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness: 

3-6 Centimetres

Height: 

8-10 Centimetres

Flower:  White - Pale Pink
Propagate: 

Seeds/Bulbs

Names:  -
Synonyms:  -

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Deidré Anne Snijman in 1992. It is found in southern Namibia, down into north-western South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots sun. The caudex can grow from three to six centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to ten centimetres in height. The coconut scented flowers are white to pink.

The name Hessea commemorates Christian Heinrich Friedrich Hesse, 1772–1837, a Lutheran minister who came to Cape Town from Hanover and grew succulents in his garden. The name speciosa from Latin; ‘beautiful’.

This is a winter-grower, starting with the flowers.


Drawing by Deidré Anne Snijman.


A single, pale pink flower by Francois Kriel, Ispotnature.org.


The entire inflorescence by Francois Kriel, Ispotnature.org.