Schizocarpus nervosus

Schizocarpus nervosus

Common Names

white scilla, white wild squill (english)sandlelie (afrikaans)seboka (sesotho)imbita-yebantwana, ndvwendvweni (swazi)sabantwana, umagaqana, inkwitelu (xhosa)ingcino, ingcolo, umgcinywana, imbizankulu ingema (zulu)

Taxonomy

Family HYACINTHACEAE
Genus Schizocarpus
Species nervosus
SA Plant Number
Basionym Schizocarpus nervosus

Description

Schizocarpus nervosus (=Scilla nervosus) is a very hardy, deciduous, drought resistant, clump-forming bulbous plant with attractive, stiff, dark veined, bright green, leathery leaves which are sometimes twisted and appear at the same time as the flowers. Its underground bulb is ± 100 mm in diameter and covered with coarse bulb scales. This geophyte forms rounded clumps in the grasslands where it is found naturally. It has lovely white or creamy-yellow spikes of flowers from September to February.

It is quite a show to see Schizocarpus nervosus flower amongst the grasses where the white flowerheads protrude above the surrounding grasses. Even the dry flowerheads remain on the plant for quite some time. This plant grows naturally in grassland areas and is dormant in winter. It can vary in size, depending on the locality. It is an important medicinal plant.

Plant in a grassland garden, rockery or create a beautiful container planting with this bulb. It is very hardy and requires virtually no maintenance. Natural pests are unknown.

Do not over water, however, plants obtained from different regions can vary significantly in term of hardiness and water requirements. Plant in sun or semi-shade in well-drained compost rich soil.

Size 30 to 40cm.

Uses

Traditional: Although white scilla is a bulb used medicinally for various ailments in traditional medicine, it is actually poisonous.

Distribution

Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape

Natural Habitat Grassland and Bushveld, often on mountain slopes.

+

Admin Notice: