Page 50 - Thola Issue 17

48 Red-hot Pokers
KNIPHOFIA LINEARIFOLIA
This species grows in clumps and is robust. The leaves are channelled, usually folding back at maturity, 600-2 000 mm long and 12-40 mm wide. The flower stalk overtops the leaves and is 800-
1 500 mm tall. The flower head is ovoid or oblong, dense, 60-160 mm long and 55-65 mm wide, tapering towards the apex. The flowers are 25-35 mm long, yellow to yellow-green or greenish. Buds are pinkish-red to green, tinged with dull red. The capsule is ovoid, three-angled and about 8 mm long.
Kniphofia linearifolia flowers
from January to May and is similar to Kniphofia tysonii subsp. tysonii but can be distinguished by its longer flowers and stamens exerted by 3-5 mm. In Kniphofia tysonii subsp. tysonii, flowers are 20-28 mm long and the stamens are exerted by 7-15 mm.
Kniphofia linearifolia is known from Pinetown, Kloof and Inanda. The species grows along stream banks and marshy places. The species in not threatened and the name refers to the long, linear leaves. It is known as the Common Marsh Poker, icacane, and umathunga (isiZulu).
KNIPHOFIA LITTORALIS
This species grows in clumps. The leaves are strongly recurved or erect when among tall grass, 150-700 mm long and 10-25 mm wide, soft in texture
and dull to bluish-green. The flower stalk overtops the leaves and is 250- 650 mm tall. The flower head is globose to cylindrical, dense, 50-90 mm long and 50-55 mm wide. The flowers are 28-34 mm long, pale yellow green, the buds red to dull red. The capsules are ovoid and are 12-15 mm long.
Kniphofia littoralis flowers from August to October and occurs in Isipingo and Silverglen in the eThekwini Municipality. It grows in low-lying, moist grassy slopes and is unique among the eThekwini pokers in that
it has large capsules – over 10 mm long. Kniphofia littoralis is threatened because of habitat loss and its name refers to the locality where it was
For the keen gardener in eThekwini, the local species may be used in different settings in a garden. They are suitable as border plants, accent plants and as contrast subjects next to a rock or part of a pond.
originally collected – from Park Rynie. It is referred to as Common Red-hot Poker.
KNIPHOFIA NORTHIAE
These plants grow singly and the stem
is distinct and robust. Leaves appear in
a rosette at the apex of the stem, are recurved, have a stiff texture and are 500- 1 500 mm long and 35-120 mm wide. They have a crescent form, not keeled. The flower stalk overtops the leaves and is stout – 200-300 mm tall. The flower
head is cylindrical to ovoid, very dense, 100-200 mm long and 50-60 mm wide. The flowers are 22-32 mm long, white (mainly) or yellow. Buds are pinkish red to orange red. The capsule is subglobose, three-angled and about 8 mm long.
Kniphofia northiae blooms from November to February and occurs in Alverstone. Plant enthusiast David Styles recently recorded it as occurring in grasslands. The species occurs mainly
in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. It is unique among the eThekwini pokers in that it has a distinct stem, broad, not keeled leaves and a stout flower stalk.
It is named after Ms Marianne North (1830-1890), a botanical artist who spent about nine months in South Africa between 1882 and 1883. She painted this species from a plant collected in the mountains north of Grahamstown. It is commonly referred to as Broad-leafed Poker, Marianne North’s Poker, icacane, and umathunga (isiZulu).
KNIPHOFIA PAUCIFLORA
This species grows in clumps. The leaves are soft, erect, yellow-green, 200-
400 mm long and 5-8 mm wide. The flower stalk overtops or equals the length of the leaves – 300-500 mm tall. The flower heads are drooping, ovoid, 30- 100 mm long and 30-35 mm wide. The
BELOW LEFT: Slender Poker, Kniphofia laxiflora.
BELOW MIDDLE: Broad-leafed Poker, Kniphofia northiae.
BELOW RIGHT: Racecourse Lily or Dainty Poker, Kniphofia pauciflora.
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15
Photo credit: Himansu Baijnath
Photo credit: William Trauseld, SANBI Collection
Photo credit: Himansu Baijnath