Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Reproduction
Chemistry and
use
Conservation
KNIPHOFIA 111
characters that unequivocally distinguish Asphodelaceae
from Anthericaceae. The two families also differ in
the way pollen grains are produced (the cell walls are
produced simultaneously after the 4 nuclei in meiosis are
formed in Asphodelaceae, while in Anthericaceae the cell
walls are produced successively after each cell nuclear
division).
The flower morphology is very variable within the
family, from the mainly bird pollinated tubular reddish or
yellowish flowers of Kniphofia to the unspecialised open
whitish flowers of Trachyandra, probably pollinated by
flies and bees. The nectar is produced in the separating
walls of the ovary (septal glands) and excreted in the
bottom of the flower. The nectar production is more
pronounced in the bird­pollinated Kniphofia than in the
insect­pollinated genera, in which the pollen itself might
represent the reward. The densely hairy stamens of
Bulbine and Jodrellia may play a role in pollination, but
this feature needs further investigation.
Most species have stiffly erect scapes and capsules
that open by splits from the top, leading to ballistic seed
dispersal, as in Kniphofia. The winged seeds imply that
wind plays an important role in dispersal. In Trachyandra
we find lax inflorescences, releasing the seeds on the
ground.
The genus Kniphofia, and to some extent also Bulbine,
include several ornamental plants with economic
potential. Inflorescences of Kniphofia are sold as cut
flowers, although mostly of South African species.
Anthraquinons (many of which are as yet unidentified)
are characteristic for the family, giving yellowish colours
to the rhizomes, and in some cases also to the flowers.
Five out of the seven Kniphofia species are endemic
to Ethiopia and Eritrea: K. foliosa, K. isoetifolia, K.
schimperi, K. hildebrandtii and K. insignis. The three first
ones are widespread and probably not threatened, whereas
the two last ones, and particularly K. hildebrandtii, have
restricted distribution, and care should be taken. Jodrellia
macrocarpa is a near­endemic (reaching Somalia in the
east), known only from a few localities, and it might be
threatened.