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Whiteheadia bifolia

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Photo from The UC Irvine Arboretum.


Photo from ?

Author:  John Gilbert Baker, 1873
Family:  HYACINTHIACEAE*
Origin:  Southern Namibia, Northern South Africa
Soil:  Grit - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  2,5 Centimetres
Height:  1 (15) Centimetre 
Flower:  Green / White
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Elephants Ears
Synonyms:  Might be: Massonia bifolia, J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, 2004.
Eucomis bifolia, Jacquin, 1791,
Basilea bifolia,
Poiret, 1810.
Whiteheadia
latifolia William Henry Harvey.
Melanthium massoniifolium,
Andrews.

This member of the Hyacinthaceae family was given this name by John Gilbert Baker in 1873. It is found in southern Namibia and northern South Africa. It preferring grit or a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb will grow to 2,5 centimetres in diameter, the 15 centimetres long leaves lay flat on the ground.

The genera name after John Whitehead, 1833-1896, an English cotton operative, bryologist and discovered Chara braunii. The species name means 'two leaves'.

*)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Hyacinthaceae is now part of the Asparagaceae.

This is a winter-grower.