Erythronium multiscapoideum

diana chapman rarebulbs@earthlink.net
Sat, 19 Oct 2002 07:47:13 PDT
Dear All

There is quite a bit of variation in anther color in other populations of
Erythroniums in the west.  Some have given subspecific status based on this,
although understandably this is not accepted by others.  Erythronium
grandiflorum has three different anther colors, and I am told different
colors can be found in the same populations.  Erythronium citrinum has
yellow/cream anthers, but the var. roderickii has anthers that are usually
described as purple, but when I found it in the wild last year they looked
sort of rusty to me, but anyway they certainly are dark.  All of my
notebooks are packed up for moving, so I can't give a more complete answer
than this!  Although I said previously the anthers of E. multiscapoideum age
to pink (they often do), it wouldn't surprise me that there are some that
are actually pink.  Erythronium californicum also ages to pink, and some
flowers in the wild have a very pronouned red reverse to the tepal.  So, it
probably isn't due to hybridization, but is actually a variation on the
basic cream.  I will look this spring in the wild to see if I find any
others with pink anthers, but I would certainly hang on to that one you
have.  They offset well, so you have something a little special, Paul.

Diana





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