Gethyllis is a bulbous genus in the Amaryllidaceae family that is found mostly in the winter rainfall region of southern Africa. It is a most amazing genus as it produces leaves, flowers, and fruit all at different times.
It flowers in summer and has a subterranean ovary and thus remains cool and protected underground. The fruits emerge in autumn before the leaves allowing the seeds to drop and germinate at a more favorable time.
Some species have a large, often spotted sheath enclosing a tight bundle of narrow, usually twisted leaves. Other have strap-shaped, prostrate leaves. One species has the weirdest leaves - they are narrow and neatly rest on the ground, and are tightly wound up exactly like a watch spring. Pictures below illustrate some of these leaves.
A related genus is Apodolirion which differs only in the attachment of the anthers. Some feel that it should not be a separate genus, but should be included in Gethyllis.
Gethyllis grandiflora grows in, but not restricted to Namaqualand. The flowers are cream, with a light orange center. The photo by Nhu Nguyen shows a second year seedling with the leaves already spiraling. First year seedlings do not show this characteristic spiral.
Gethyllis sp.
The first three Gethyllis plants in leaf were on display at the IBSA Symposium in South Africa August 2003. They were not identified by species. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller. The last photo also by Bob Rutemoeller is also of the leaves of an unidentified Gethyllis, this one grown by Alan Horstmann in South Africa.
Gethyllis verticilliata is found in the winter rainfall area (Namaqualand to Darling) on rock outcrops on slopes and well drained flats. It flowers from November to February and has white flowers. Photo by Bob Rutemoeller of the leaves showing the basal sheaths of one of Gordon Summerfield's plants.
Gethyllis villosa is found in sand or clay on flats or south-facing slopes from Namaqualand to Mossel Ban and the western Karoo. It has white or pink flowers and strap-shaped spiraled leaves with star-like hairs. Photos by Julian Slade of his plants blooming in Australia December 2003. The first image of the closed bud depicts what you will actually find in the morning after a cool change or barometric change in summer. There is no sign of anything the day before, even if you look for it! The second shows the opened flower and the third,a top view, shows the style is bent to the side which is a characteristic of some of the species.
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