Agapanthus praecox

Agapanthus praecox (common agapanthus,[1] blue lily,[1] African lily,[2] or lily of the Nile[3]) is a popular garden plant around the world, especially in Mediterranean climates.[4] It is native to the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Local names include agapant, bloulelie, isicakathi and ubani.[1] Most of the cultivated plants of the genus Agapanthus are hybrids or cultivars of this species. It is divided into three subspecies: subsp.praecox, subsp. orientalis and subsp. minimus.[1]

Agapanthus praecox
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Agapanthoideae
Genus: Agapanthus
Species:
A. praecox
Binomial name
Agapanthus praecox

Description
Flowering clumps

Agapanthus praecox is a variable species with open-faced flowers. It is a perennial plant that can live for up to 75 years. Its evergreen leaves are 2 cm wide and 50 cm long. Its inflorescence is an umbel. The flowers are blue, purple or white and bloom from late spring to summer, followed by capsules filled with black seeds. Its flowering stem reaches one meter high. Its roots are very powerful and can break concrete.[1]

Subspecies
Agapanthus praecox subsp. praecox

This subspecies occurs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It usually grows to between 0.8 and 1 metre tall and has 10-11 leathery leaves. The blue flowers appear from December to February.[1] These have perianth segments which are greater than 50 mm in length.[1]

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis

This subspecies occurs in the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. Although it is about the same height as subsp. praecox, it has up to 20 poisonous, strap-like leaves per plant which are arching and are not leathery.[1] These range in length from 20 to 70 cm and are 3 to 5 cm wide.[5] Flower colour ranges from blue to white.[1][3] Shiny black seeds are produced in three-sided capsules.[3] These have perianth segments which are less than 50 mm in length.[1]

Agapanthus praecox subsp. minimus

Occurring in the southeastern Western Cape and Eastern Cape, this subspecies is the smallest, ranging in height from 300 to 600 mm. It has a longer flowering season, from November to March. Flower colour includes white and various shades of blue.[1]

Cultivation

The plant prefers a well-drained soil, but supports a poor soil. Exposure to full sun is preferable, but it supports partial shade. It has low tolerance to being moved. It can be multiplied by sowing (flowering under 3 to 4 years) or division. It tolerates drought once well installed, but watering is preferable in case of long dry periods. It overwinters as a stump and therefore completely disappears during the cold months. Contrary to popular belief, this species can withstand wind, frost and cold up to −15 °C provided that the strains are protected for the first two years with mulching.

Young shoots need to be protected from slugs and snails. A contribution of 2 or 3 handfuls of wood ash around the stump in the spring may keep the gastropods away and make a good contribution of potash.[6]

Naturalisation

The species is naturalised in Australia,[3] New Zealand[7] and the Isles of Scilly.[8] It is reportedly naturalized in Madeira, the Canary Islands, Eritrea, Ethiopia, St. Helena, Norfolk Island, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and Tristan da Cunha.[9]

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis is highly regarded for being tough in sun and heat, long-flowering, and is a favourite for many councils in Australia for the landscaping of roads and other public areas which do not get watered. The plant is still widely planted but in some areas it is considered a weed, and planting has been discontinued,[10] although it is not generally regarded as highly invasive.

  • Closeup of the flowers from the subspecies Orientalis.
    Closeup of the flowers from the subspecies Orientalis.
  • Agapanthus praecox - MHNT
    Agapanthus praecox - MHNT
  • White flowers
    White flowers
  • In a garden setting
    In a garden setting
  • In autumn
    In autumn
  • A row of the plants in Furnas, the Azores
    A row of the plants in Furnas, the Azores
  • Flower closeup
    Flower closeup
  • Growing on a cliff in Funchal, Madeira
    Growing on a cliff in Funchal, Madeira

See also

References
  1. "Agapanthus praecox Willd". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Archived from the original on 2004-03-05. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  2. "Agapanthus praecox". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  3. "Agapanthus - Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland". Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  4. "In Bloom - Agapanthus". Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  5. "Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis (F.M.Leight.) F.M.Leight". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  6. Jean Trudel, Gardens and scenery: summer flowers, Saint-Laurent (Quebec), Book-Loisirs Ltée,1984, 65 p. ISBN 2-89210-229-4
  7. "Agapanthus praecox". Weeds Index. Environment Bay of Plenty. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  8. "Weird Weeds of Scilly" (PDF). The Islander. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  9. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  10. "Councils Halt Cultivation of Agapanthus Plants". Archived from the original on 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
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