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Polyxena odorata

deeds1
19 years ago

Does anyone have any information on this bulb please?

Comments (7)

  • Modjadje
    19 years ago

    From a quick search I learned that it belongs to the Liliacea family, and is now called Polyxena ensifolia Formerly know as P. odorata
    Suggest you search for info with search term P. ensifolia or Polyxena ensifolia .
    Wonder whether the odorata implied that it smelled good, or that it is stinky?
    Would be fun if you tell us when you find out.

  • deeds1
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    Thanks modjadje, since my original posting I have managed to find out a little on these bulbs, according to The Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs, they are Hyacinthaceae . There is stil some argument as to if P. odorata is a different species to P. ensifolia and I guess there will only be a definative answer when someone gets around to checking the DNA.

    It is supposed to be delightfully fragrant, 'odotata' does usually signify a pleasant scent, but I am very confused at the moment as to if I do have Polxena odorata as the leaves are totally different to the ones on PsbWiki at the moment, time will tell.

    Thanks for replying. I will keep you posted whe it flowers in about a month.

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1236482}}

  • faeden
    19 years ago

    According to John Bryan in his book, "Bulbs," he agrees with Manning & Goldblatt, putting P. odorata as a synonym for P. ensifolia. He states that it should have a hyacinth-like fragrance. Below is a link to a Japanese site which has a few pictures of Polyxena and Massonia. Click on "Cancel" to go directly to the page, then click on the trowel or "next" to go to the second and third pages. Perhaps a better picture is found there.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Massonia/Polyxena

  • deeds1
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    faeden, thank you for the link and the info. That has cleared something up for me.

    The foliage is certainly that of P. odorata in those photographs, which I think you will agree, looks totally different to P. ensifolia.

    I have been considering John Bryants book, how good is it?
    Thanks again for you input.

  • faeden
    19 years ago

    I like Bryan's book a lot. There are two versions. The old one is two volumes and costs around $50-70 (because it's used and out of print) and the new one is one volume and is $89 new from Rainbow Gardens Bookshop or Timber Press. I have and use both versions, but if there's something quick I need to know I use the newer version. The newer version has additional and updated info. I have a LOT of bulb books, and this is usually my first choice when needing to look something up. I also like Manning, Goldblatt & Snjiman's Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs. Use the below link to find the best prices.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Bookfinder

  • deeds1
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    Thanks again faeden. I have The Colour Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs, as well as a couple of monographs by Goldblatt - the Dierama one in particular is a great book.
    It always amazes me how much cheaper book are in the US as opposed to the UK - the best price I can find over here for Bryans book is $116 + shipping.

  • faeden
    19 years ago

    Arrgghh!! I wasn't paying attention to where you were!! I'm really sorry to hear that you're having to pay so much. Can you order from one of the cheap places here and have them ship to you there? Won't you save a lot of money that way?

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