Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Crinum bambusetum
Description
Habitat and
distribution
1. Crinum bambusetum Nordal & Sebsebe
CRINUM 173
The specific epithet ‘bambusetum’ refers to the fact that
this species is the only Crinum which grows in bamboo
thickets. It was recently (in 2002) discovered and
described. It belongs to a group of species with radially
symmetrical flowers and reflexed tepals (‘Stenaster’).
Only one representative of this group is found on the
Horn of Africa.
Leaves without a distinct midrib, lacking intact apices. Scape up to
60 cm. Involucral bracts papery and early drooping. Flowers 12–40,
distinctly pedicellate, pedicels up to 4 cm long. Buds nodding before
anthesis. Perianth tube straight, at anthesis up to 13 mm long, tepals
narrowly lanceolate, reflexed, whitish, tinged pink on the outside,
about 6 to 10 cm long; filaments reddish, arcuate, anthers c. 7 mm;
style pink. Fruits not known.
This species is found in openings in bamboo thickets
(Oxytenanthera abyssinica) around 1500 m, and it is
only known from a few populations near Assosa in the
Wellega floristic region. The closest re lative is Crinum
subcernuum Baker from southern Africa. The main
flowering period is from May to June. Recent molecular
Fig. 84. Crinum bambusetum, from west of Assosa, Wellega floristic region.