Chlorophytum krookianum

Chlorophytum krookianum, the giant chlorophytum, is a deciduous perennial, annually growing leaves and inflorescence from its rhizomatous rootstock. The plant occasionally reaches 2 m in height.

The Chlorophytum or grass lily genus forms part of the Anthericaceae family, consisting of about 165 species, of which 36 are indigenous to South Africa.

The species distribution lies in the east of South Africa, from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga and Limpopo, also in some neighbouring countries to the north.

It grows in damp grassland, forest margins and swamps, found from the coast to elevations of about 1800 m. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Pooley, 1998; www.redlist.sanbi.org).