Wachendorfia

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Commelinaless

Familia: Haemodoraceae
Subfamilia: Haemodoroideae
Genus: Wachendorfia
Species: W. brachyandra – W. corymbosa – W. multiflora – W. pallida – W. paniculata – W. thyrsiflora
Source(s) of checklist:
Name

Wachendorfia Burm. (1757)

Type species: non design.

References

Burman, J. 1757: Wachendorfia 2.

Wachendorfia, known as red root, is a genus of cormous perennials endemic to Cape Province in South Africa.[1] It was first described as a genus in 1757.[2][3] The genus was named in honour of Evert Jacob van Wachendorff (1703-1758), Dutch professor of botany and chemistry at Utrecht.

accepted species[1]

Wachendorfia brachyandra W.F.Barker
Wachendorfia multiflora (Klatt) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
Wachendorfia paniculata Burm.
Wachendorfia thyrsiflora Burm.

Description

Wachendorfias have basal tufts of long, narrow, pleated leaves and bear erect spikes of starry, yellow flowers in spring and summer.

Their common name stems from the red sap of the corms, used as a dye, and the bright red-orange colour of the roots themselves. Red colour is a feature of many plants in the family Haemodoraceae (Haemo = Blood).[4]
Cultivation

Slightly frost hardy, Wachendorfias thrive outdoors in warm, near frost-free environments as an ornamental plant. Most require moist, well drained soils in a sunny position. Some are ideal for bog gardens.

Propagation is via seed or division.[5]

References

Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
Burman, J. 1757. Wachendorfia 2
Tropicos, Wachendorfia J. Burman
Gardeners Guide to Plants & Flowers, Readers' Digest, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 1997
Flora, The Gardeners Bible, ABC Publishing, Ultimo, NSW, Australia, 2005