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Daubenya aurea

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A yellow wild plant by Rob Scott, Africanplants.senckenberg.de.


The red flower by Cameron McMaster.

Author:  John Lindley, 1835
Family:  HYACINTHACEAE*
Origin:  Southern South Africa
Soil:  Clay - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  3,5 Centimetres
Height:  5 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow - Red
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Jewels of the Desert
Synonyms:  Daubenya coccinea, John Gilbert Baker, 1871.
Massonia aurea,
Don, 1839.
Daubenya fulva, Lindl.
Massonia lutea, Lindl.

This member of the Hyacinthaceae* family was given this name by John Lindley in 1835. It is found in the Roggeveld Mountains of South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 3,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to five centimetres in height. The flowers are either bright yellow or bright red.

The genera name was given by British botanist John Lindley in honour of his compatriot, Charles Giles Bridle Daubeny, 1795-1867. The species name aureus, refers to the golden yellow flowering form of this species.

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


Wild plants by Mary Sue Ittner.


A yellow flower from Smale-conophytum.co.uk.