Cyrtanthus species K-O are found on this wiki page
Cyrtanthus Hybrids - Cyrtanthus A-C- Cyrtanthus D-J - Cyrtanthus P-Z - Cyrtanthus index
Cyrtanthus loddigesianus (syn. Cyrtanthus speciosus) This floriferous, creamy-flowered species is one of the easiest Cyrtanthus species to grow. It flowers mid-summer. It is found on grassy fynbos or in grassland in coastal sands in the southeastern Cape. Photo by Bill Dijk.
Cyrtanthus mackenii is probably the most easily grown of all the species. It is evergreen, an ideal container subject, garden plant and cutflower. Numerous colour forms exist and all are delightfully scented. This species particular ornamental when different colour forms are grown together in the same container. It likes to remain undisturbed for many years for best results. The first photo below is a photo by Bill Dijk of a white flowered form. The other photos below by Mary Sue Ittner are of mixed colored flowers grown from seed.
Cyrtanthus mackenii ssp. mackenii is an evergreen yellow form that flowers on the edges of pools in sheltered streams near the coast in the Eastern Cape. Photo by Cameron McMaster.
Cyrtanthus mackenii ssp. cooperi is an inland form recently elevated from a variety to a subspecies. It is deciduous, flowers in early spring before the leaves appear and is a dull pinkish yellow. Photos by Cameron McMaster of this species in the Eastern Cape near Sutterheim.
Cyrtanthus macmasteri was described in 2003. It has large red flared flowers and was named after Cameron McMaster who saw a specimen in 1994 when with his family in the Bolo River Gorge in the Eastern Cape. He did the follow up work to locate where it grew and to obtain specimens so the necessary documentation could be done so it could be verified and named. It grows in thick grass between rocks on steep slopes, often shaded by shrubs and trees. It blooms in the wild in February and March. Photos by Cameron McMaster of the flowers and the habitat.
Cyrtanthus macowanii is a small red species that flowers in summer and is widespread in the Eastern Cape. Photos by Cameron McMaster.
Cyrtanthus montanus is one of the most striking species, producing orange umbels in autumn. This plant requires very infrequent watering; there is nothing quite as irretrievable as a bulb of C. montanus once it has started to rot. Usually evergreen, but needs to be almost bone-dry in winter. Photos by Bill Dijk and Cameron McMaster of this species that is very rare in the wild.
Cyrtanthus obliquus is impressive in flower in every way; its twisted evergreen, glaucous foliage combines magnificently with the sturdy peduncle or stalk of pendulous, yellow, red and green flowers. It prefers a full sun position, with at least two-third of the large bulb above ground. It requires much less water in winter, and blooms in spring and summer. The first two photos were taken by Bill Dijk and John Ingram. John wrote: "This is the first bloom for me for this species. I have had the bulbs for almost 3 years now and they were either 3 or 5 years old when I got them. I am amazed at the thick solid texture of the flowers. There is some snail damage on flowers on the backside and trails are evident in the photo but I think once the flowers get past a certain age, they are too hard for the snails to consume." The last two photos were taken by Roy Herold at the Karoo Desert NBG in Worcester, October 2002.
This species is native to the southeastern Cape where it is found on exposed rocky outcrops where its bulbs are crowded between rocks or cling to steep cliffs. Photos of a plant in habitat taken by Cameron McMaster, a close-up, and a picture of the plants with seed capsules..
Cyrtanthus obrienii is an evergreen spring species with red pendulous flowers. It is fairly attractive and quite a tough plant, preferring to stay in the same position for many years. Photos by Cameron McMaster and Alessandro Marinello.
Much of this information furnished by Bill Dijk and Cameron McMaster.
Cyrtanthus Hybrids - Cyrtanthus A-C- Cyrtanthus D-J - Cyrtanthus P-Z - Cyrtanthus index