Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Habitat and
distribution
Kniphofia foliosa
Description
Habitat and
distribution
KNIPHOFIA 115
(14–18 mm long in cultivation) widening at the mouth and only
slightly constricting at the base; perianth lobes small, 1–2 × 1–3
mm. Pedicel 1.5–3.5 mm long, elongating to 6 mm long in fruit.
Stamens and styles exserted, 10–15 mm long; the stamens spirally
twisted on fading. Capsule, 5–9 × 4–6 mm.
The species grows in grassland, grassy slopes, on steep
hillsides and near streams in tall grass between 1220 and
2650(–3150) m. It is widespread in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
It also occurs in the Sudan, Uganda, and Zaire. The main
flowering period in Ethi opia is from August to September,
sometimes also in October.
2. Kniphofia foliosa Hochstetter
The specific epithet ‘foliosa’ refers to the many crowded
rosulate leaves at the base (folium = leaf). The species
was described in 1844 from plants collected in Adwa,
Tig ray region by Schimper.
The species is related to the more widespread K.
pumila, but it is easily distinguished by the funnelshaped
to tubular perianth, 18–27 mm long; flowers
opening from base upwards (centripetal). In contrast, K.
pumila has a bell­shaped perianth, 10–14(–18) mm long
centrifugal flower opening.
Robust plants forming dense clumps, with thick erect rhizomes,
sometimes with a stem up to 40 cm long, with some fibrous remains
of leaves at the base. Leaves 20–100 × (1.6–)2–4(–7) cm; linear
lanceolate, dark to greyish­green, keeled; margin serrulate, keels
smooth below; serrulate above. Peduncle (including raceme) 30–
150 cm long. Raceme 15–40 cm long (to 50 cm long in fruit), very
dense, cylindrical. Bracts white, drying brownish, ovate to ovatelanceolate,
4–12 × 2.5–3.5 mm, serrulate. Perianth pale yellow,
orange or red, cylindrical, 18–27 mm long, widening at the mouth
and only slightly constricting at the base; perianth lobes 3.5–6 ×
2–3 mm. Pedicel 3–4 mm long. Stamens and style exserted, 8–15
mm long, the stamens spirally twisted when drying. Capsule ovoid,
7–8 × 6 mm.
The species grows on roadsides, on over grazed areas
with scattered trees, hillsides, on rock outcrops, and
mountain plateaus between 2400 and 4000 m, usually on
well drained soil. It is widespread in Ethiopia, but it is not
known anywhere else. The main flowering period is from
June to October, but it sometimes extends to December­
January in wetter places and forest margins.