Curculigo rhizophylla

Curculigo rhizophylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Hypoxidaceae
Genus: Curculigo
Species:
C. rhizophylla
Binomial name
Curculigo rhizophylla
(Baker) T.Durand & Schinz

Curculigo rhizophylla, also known as Hypoxidia rhizophylla, Hypoxis rhizophylla, or Molineria rhizophylla,[1] is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Hypoxidaceae and is endemic to the Seychelles Islands. It is interesting for three reasons: Its six-petaled flowers at six inches (15 centimeters) width are the largest flowers of any Seychelles native plant. Surprisingly for such a small island group, these flowers come in at least four natural varieties or subspecies, having purple, dark red, orange or yellow flowers, which grow at various altitudes. Finally, the leaf tips, if they come in contact with the soil, will develop a plantlet which can grow as large as the mother plant.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Curculigo rhizophylla (Baker) T.Durand & Schinz". World Flora Online. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  2. ^ Wise, Rosemary (1998). A Fragile Eden. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ. Press. p. plate 61 with caption. ISBN 0-691-04817-7.