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3 Investigation into the habitat of Romulea sabulosa and
Romulea monadelpha: Soil sampling and analysis
3.1 INTRODUCTION
R. sabulosa, one of the most attractive species of this genus, occurs west of
Nieuwoudtville on sandy soil and in renosterveld on clay (MANNING & GOLDBLATT,
1997; 2001). In these areas of renosterveld populations of R. monadelpha, another
attractive species, can also be found. Other species of Romulea used in this study
also occur in this area (Figure 2.1).
In a study by KÖK et al. (2007) soil samples were taken during vegetative and
flowering stages in the habitat of R. columnae in Turkey. This species is widely used
as an ornamental plant (KÖK et al., 2007). The climate of this study area is
somewhat similar to Namaqualand, with it being described as having a humid
Mediterranean climate and a xeric period of 4 months. Analyses done on soil
samples by KÖK et al. (2007) determined soil texture, pH, salinity and percentage
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, organic matter and CaCO3.
During a visit to the Nieuwoudtville Wildflower Reserve, Mr. Eugene Marinus showed
me plants of R. monadelpha and R. sabulosa which he had grown from seed.
Although not open, flower buds were visible on these plants and the plants appeared
healthy and mature. He also mentioned that some of these plants had flowered in
previous seasons. I enquired more about his methods and he subsequently showed
me the soil he had used and allowed me to take samples. He had used a 1:1 mixture
of soil from two locations about 20 m from each other.
Observations of plants in natural conditions will be useful to compare with the
morphology and size of the plants propagated by in vitro techniques. Soil texture, pH,
salinity and percentage nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium was expected to be
similar to that obtained by KÖK et al. (2007) in Turkey.
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