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7 Commercialization potential <strong>of</strong> Romulea species<br />

Attributes that make species <strong>of</strong> Romulea attractive are their beautiful flowers and growth<br />

forms (Figure 7.1). The flowers are not only attractive because <strong>of</strong> their wide range <strong>of</strong><br />

colours, including yellow to white, pink, orange, apricot, red, magenta, lilac and purple,<br />

but also because <strong>of</strong> the interesting shape <strong>of</strong> some flowers such as R. diversiformis<br />

(Figure 7.1 C) and R. hantamnensis (DE VOS, 1972; MANNING & GOLDBLATT, 2001).<br />

The flowers <strong>of</strong> some species are also scented. These include the honey scented flowers<br />

<strong>of</strong> R. austinii and the honey and coconut scented flowers <strong>of</strong> R. schlechteri. The growth<br />

form <strong>of</strong> many Romulea species is very reduced, with subterranean stems and a few<br />

filiform leaves. This accentuates the beautiful flowers <strong>of</strong> these species and creates a<br />

spectacular floral display when flowers are grown together.<br />

Figure 7.1: Showing eight species used in propagation experiments arranged from the largest to<br />

the smallest growth form. From the left they are Romulea minutiflora (A), R. camerooniana (B), R.<br />

diversiformis (C), R. rosea (D), R. flava (E), R. leipoldtii (F), R. monadelpha (G) and R. sabulosa (H).<br />

Modified from DE VOS (1972) and photographs taken by Dr. John C. Manning. Horizontal bar = 50<br />

mm.<br />

151

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