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September 5, 2006 : Littonia modesta
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Keywords: Colchicaceae | Littonia modesta Hook. f. | 027043-0221-1988
Despite both its attractiveness and the year it was planted (~1988), I only noticed butter lily (or Christmas lily) in the UBC Alpine Garden for the first time last week. The epithet modesta means “unassuming” or “moderate”, so perhaps I overlooked it in favour of bolder plants in years past.
The Pacific Bulb Society has a Wiki entry on Littonia; it's worth visiting, as it shares photographs of this South African species as it grows from seedling to fruit. It also includes an image of its tuber.
The tendril-like leaf tips are described botanically as a “cirrhose leaf apex” (see Jim Croft's Botanical Glossary). Functionally, they act as they appear to act, helping the plant “climb” (or at least be supported) as it grows in height.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at September 5, 2006 5:47 AM
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Posted by: Beverley at September 5, 2006 7:54 AM
Beautiful and a curiousity for those cirrhose leaf tips :-)
Posted by: Van at September 11, 2006 8:51 PM
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Littonia modesta - Z9 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiiths