Cyrtanthus species P-Z are found on this wiki page.
Cyrtanthus Hybrids – Cyrtanthus A-C – Cyrtanthus D-J – Cyrtanthus K-O – Cyrtanthus index
Cyrtanthus sanguineus is ideally suited to cultivation. This variable, very floriferous species is evergreen and blooms in mid-summer. Flower colour varies from bright pink to orange-red; well grown bulbs often produce two stem each. This species is particular suitable for hanging baskets. It is reported to be easier to get to flower than some of the species. The first two photos were taken by Bill Dijk and the third by Mary Sue Ittner, a a close-up of the flower, blooming August 2004 for the first time from seed purchased from Silverhill Seeds.
A more robust and larger colour variation form of Cyrtanthus sanguineus, is sometimes called Cyrtanthus sanguineus var. glaucophyllus. I have never come across this vigourus and attractive plant before, which is easy to grow and all the plants we have grown have come true from seed. Photos by Bill Dijk.
Cyrtanthus smithiae is a deciduous, white or pale pink striped flowered summer-growing plant that has very attractive "corkscrew" foliage. The inflorescence appears promptly in early summer together with the new foliage. This is quite an easy species to grow provided it is kept absolutely dry in winter, and watered rather infrequently in summer. Photos by Cameron McMaster in habitat in the Eastern Cape showing variations in different populations, including the fourth one of an especially large plant. The last image, by Byron Amerson shows three-month-old seedlings; note that these young plants are already showing the characteristic spiral leaves typical of this species.
Cyrtanthus sp. Pictures below are apparently of a new species. Text about this from David Victor who writes: I've recently been in contact with Mark Hyde who is producing an on-line Flora of Zimbabwe. He has recently collected a Cyrtanthus in the Bvumba Mountains of the Eastern Highlands (against the Mozambique border). Whilst there are similar plants in the herbarium marked Cyrtanthus sanguineus (Lindl.) Walp. he does not think that this plant is that species, but does not have any alternative other than the possibility that it is a new species. Can anyone confirm the identity of the plant, please? He says that it is a "small pink flowered herb, with 1 or less often 2 flowers, which appear before the leaves in August or September. Bracts 2, petals 6, style lobes 3. Stamens 6, 3 lower in tube than the other 3. Ovary inferior. It grows on dry rocky slopes in Brachystegia woodland on serpentine hills.
Cyrtanthus spiralis is very rare in the wild and one of the most difficult members to cultivate successfully over an extended period. It is usually evergreen in cultivation but needs to be kept almost bone-dry in summer, and given very infrequent waterings in winter. Coarse river sand or gravel must be incorporated into the growing medium. It has nicely coloured red flowers and is one of my favourites. Photos by Bill Dijk and Alessandro Marinello.
Cyrtanthus staadensis. This rare, floriferous plant deserves wider horticultural attention. Its bright orange-red flowers with their distinctive, dilated perianth tubes are carried on long peduncles or stalks, making it an ideal cut flower. This species prefers a sunny aspect and tends to be evergreen in cultivation. Photo by Bill Dijk.
Cyrtanthus stenanthus This species is found in damp grassland in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free State. Leaves are present or absent at flowering. Flowers are red, orange, or yellow, turned to one side, slender, slightly contracted at the throat.
Cyrtanthus stenanthus var. major This variety has yellow flowers. Photo by Bill Dijk.
Cyrtanthus stenanthus var. stenanthus has reddish to reddish green flowers. Photos below of this variety from Southern Sekhukhuneland in South Africa. Photos by Alessandro Marinello.
Cyrtanthus suaveolens is a dainty (to 25cm tall) maroon species with recurved lobes endemic to the Amatola Mountains of the Eastern Cape and flowering mid October to mid November. It has rather distinctive leaves which are dark green with purplish margins and midribs and and the seed capsules when they formed are also tinged with purple. It adapts well to cultivation. Photos by Cameron McMaster.
Cyrtanthus tuckii is a species from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal that is difficult in cultivation. It is found in grassland and wet areas. Photo by Cameron McMaster showing this one blooming after a fire.
Cyrtanthus tuckii var. viridilobus has green flower lobes. Photo by Bill Dijk.
Cyrtanthus ventricosus is found on south facing sandstons slopes in fynbos. It has bright shiny red nodding flowers. It flowers December to May in the wild, after fire. Blooming in a burned area near Napier in the Overberg and photographed by Cameron McMaster who has captured the sheen of the beautiful flowers.
Much of the information about these species and how to grow them furnished by Bill Dijk and Cameron McMaster.
Cyrtanthus Hybrids – Cyrtanthus A-C – Cyrtanthus D-J – Cyrtanthus K-O – Cyrtanthus index