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Strumaria tenella

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Photo by Xerantheum.


Drawing by Leigh Voigt.


This is the flowers of Strumaria tenella subsp. orientalis. Photo by Terry Smale.

Author: Deirdré Anne Snijman, 1994
Family:  AMARYLLIDACEAE
Origin:  South Africa, Lesotho
Soil:  Grit - Mix
Water:  Minimum
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  1,5 Centimetres
Height:  10-15 Centimetres
Flower:  White - Pink
Propagate:  Seeds/Bulbs
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Hessea tenella Oberm.
Periphanes strumosa
F.M.Leight.
Crinum tenellum
L.f.
Tedingea tenella
D.Müll.-Doblies & U.Müll.-Doblies.
Tedingea transkarooica
D.Müll.-Doblies & U.Müll.-Doblies.
Hessea filifolia
Benth. & Hook.
Leucojum strumosum
Aiton.
Carpolyza tenella, F.M.Leight.
Imhofia tenella, M.Roem.
Strumaria tenella subsp. orientalis, Snijman.

This tiny member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Deirdré Anne Snijman in 1994. It is found in South Africa: Strumaria tenella subsp. orientalis is found in the east, Strumaria tenella subsp. tenella to the west, into Namibia receiving winter rain. It grow in grit or other well drained soil with little water and some to lots of sun. The narrow, grass-like leaves get ten centimetres long, the inflorescence up to fifteen centimetres, and unlike other Strumarias, it can be seen along with the (evergreen) leaves. The flowers are from pure white to light pink.

The genera name from Latin, struma; 'a cushion-shaped swelling', and - aria which relates to 'possessing', a name that refers to the swollen base of the style. The species name means 'small, delicate, tender'.

Can both be winter- and summer growing.