Crinum stuhlmannii flowers

Up to 30 trumpet flowers of Crinum stuhlmannii may grow in one umbel on the sturdy annual peduncle. A common name of candy-striped crinum has become associated with the plant, due to the deep pink band along the centre of each white-margined tepal in the narrowly funnel-shaped corolla. There are, however, more Crinum species with central bands of a darker hue along their tepals.

The individual flower pedicels are long and fleshy, presenting the slightly curved funnel-shaped flowers for the benefit of viewers that will pollinate rather than admire them.

A lush rosette of the plants broad leaves can be seen flourishing next to the flowers.

Crinum bulbs, especially also those of C. stuhlmannii, are unfortunately extensivily harvested by traditional healers and the marketers that supply them. Only some of these activities fall within the ambit of the law. This adds risk to species survival as the demand is for plants from nature, not nursery grown ones (iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org; www.plantzafrica.com; www.shieldsgardens.com).