As follow up to an earlier discussiojn on Nectaroscordum, in bloom now is Nectaroscordum meliophilum from the Saint Petersburg Botanic Garden, said to have originally been from Crimea, this "species" is generally considered a synonym of N. siculm ssp. bulgaricum. However, I have kept the name under which it was received from a very knowledgeable taxonomist and plant explorer. I will write to him and try to ascertain why he kept the name "meliophilum", perhaps he feels it is distinct enough to warrant separation from N. siculum ssp. bulgaricum. The outside of the tepals are dark brownish-olive-rose color with white flared tips, eventually opening into lovely white bells softly tinged olive and dull rose on the outside. Some flowers have 7-8 tepals instead of the normal 6. It is 24" (60 cm) tall in bloom. Photos taken May 25, 2003. The three photos are in order of flower development. http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… ... or go to the PBS wiki Nectaroscordum page at: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/… Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States antennaria@aol.com "New England" USDA Zone 5 ============================================== >> web site under construction - http://www.plantbuzz.com/ << alliums, bulbs, penstemons, hardy hibiscus, western american alpines, iris, plants of all types!
