2008 list

Updated 13 March 2008

Seeds offered in this section are $4.50 per packet.

Arisaema taiwanense -Araceae, (China? Taiwan?). This is one of the propeller-leaved Arisaema species to 2 ft. tall with thick, spotted petioles and a dark chocolate flower emerging just below the leaf. Summer growing and disappears completely in late fall. It is a good woodland plant making a small colony with time in bright shade. Flowers may be followed by cone-like clusters of bright pepper-red seeds held for several weeks. Easy to grow. 20 seeds

Barbacenia cf. purpurea  - Velloziaceae, Brazil. A striking diversity of plants in this family is found in Brazil, but very few have entered cultivation because of restrictions on field collection and difficult cultivation. This is seed from a Fred Meyer collection made before restrictions were in place and is one of the easier to grow. A shrubby monocot with strap-like, hinged leaves, and elegant, 2 inch royal purple flowers on long glandular stalks produced throughout the summer. Seed should be sown in a pasteurized, sandy soil mix under warm and humid conditions. Germinate warm (70 deg.F.) and humid with glass or plastic cover on pot. Plants grow and flower under cool house temperature range as defined for orchid culture. (50 deg. F. nights, warm days). Reduce watering in winter. Seed MUST be refrigerated if stored. 30-50 seeds

Beschorneria albiflora - Agavaceae, S. Mexico, trunk forming monocot. This is the only species of the genus, (close relatives to Agave) that forms a trunk. In time it can exceed 6 ft. The dense rosettes of soft textured (user friendly), avocado green leaves are 2.5 to 3 ft. across. The inflorescences can be 5 ft. in length and 4 ft. across. The stalk and side branches turn vivid red and maintain the color for months. The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, mature over a 2 month period, and are cream or chartreuse flushed with salmon pink. Although most species are from dry woodlands and appreciate a bit of shade, this one thrives in light shade to full sun in coastal CA. Sow the seeds in late spring with warm weather. Plants survived 16 deg. F. without damage in the 1990 freeze. 30 seeds

Begonia boliviensis – Begoniaceae. Winter dormant, montane (1400 to 2400 m) Andean species (Bolivia, Peru, Argentina) develops a large tuber and when planted in the ground may grow 2 ft. tall and 3 ft. across. Hundreds of vivid orange-red pendant flowers are produced to the delight of hummingbirds. First collected in the mid 1800’s growing on shady, moist cliff faces in Bolivia, this plant was involved in the development of modern tuberous begonias. It is a more vigorous and adaptable plant than most of its horticultural progeny growing in part shade to full sun in coastal CA and tolerating clay soils raised or amended for increased winter drainage. Suitable for pot and hanging basket culture. Hardy to zone 7b-8 (Plant Delights). Surface sow on a fine textured acid mix and cover for added humidity until producing several true leaves, then carefully acclimate. Keep young plants growing until a dormancy is demanded. Countless tiny seeds per packet

Bomarea distichifolia – Alstroemeriaceae. A small statured (to 18 in.) non-climbing species with elegantly spiraled dark stems in juvenile plants, later with arching stems terminating in a small umbel of orange flowers with blue pollen. The handsome leaves are glaucous beneath. Fruits are freely produced, almost spherical, and bright yellow orange. Responds well to fertilizer and regular watering in bright shade. Although from wet areas in Ecuadorian cloud forest, it can be surprisingly tolerant of reduced watering, as well as deep shade, and root competition. Established plants have disappeared without summer watering, only to return to active growth up to a year later with watering resumed. Germinates at high rates without special treatment. Limited, 6 seeds per packet
Bomarea salsilla - Alstroemeriaceae, Chile. Herbaceous climber. This small twining vine to 4' comes from the Mediterranean zone of south central Chile where it grows during the winter and spring, flowering heavily in mid spring. The flowers are about an inch long and open wider than many Bomarea species. They are deep pink with blue and black markings on the inside. After flowering, plants rapidly enter dormancy, and need no water again until fall. They may be kept green longer with supplemental watering. Hardy to 25 degrees F. 20 seeds

Brighamia rockii – Campanulaceae, Hawaii. Similar to its better known sister species, B. insignis. Rare in nature and in cultivation with low seed set, this long-lived perennial from Molokai, Hawaii has a beautiful taper to its long succulent trunk reaching heights of 3--rarely to 15--feet, topped by a rosette of pale green, oval leaves. Will branch occasionally, or if apex damaged. Flowers are produced on short stems from the upper trunk and rosette. The flowers themselves are 5 inches or more long, white with reflexed lobes, and exquisitely fragrant. This plant is best in a cool greenhouse as a pot specimen. Although the succulent stem is reputed to afford some tolerance of drying, growth is best if the plant is kept evenly moist when active in spring, summer, and fall, with some water restriction in winter. Responds well to regular feeding. Sow on or close to the surface using a seed mix with added sand, pumice, and peat. Usually germinates at a high rate spread over several weeks. Begin with dilute fertilization as first true leaves expand. Cold hardiness unknown. Limited, horticulturally produced seed, approx. 8 per packet.

Centropogon erythraeus - Lobeliaceae (Campanulaceae). Shrubby perennial 3 to 3.5 ft. with striking, magenta-brown, fuzzy leaves and stems is native to southern Ecuador in high Andean forest from 2,000 to 3,000 meters. Extremely rare in the wild, but has been in limited cultivation since 1994. Flowers are close to 2 in. long , dull rusty red with paler tips, borne briefly late spring and early summer after which basal renewal growth begins. Grow in rich acid soil and feed regularly to encourage foliage. Surface sow extremely fine seed on damp, fine textured, acid medium and cover with glass, or place seed pan in a plastic bag and acclimate gradually. Cold hardiness untested, but has survived brief periods below 32 deg.F. without damage.

Cyrtanthus smithiae - Amaryllidaceae. Summer growing bulb from the Eastern Cape of So. Africa with handsome gray-green spirally coiled foliage and large white to buff flowers, with or without pink stripes. Source plants have strong pink
striping. Keep dry in winter, water and feed regularly during summer. Growing period can be lengthened in juvenile plants for quicker development. One of the easiest Cyrtanthus species to grow from seed. Sow in early spring. 6 seeds per packet
Dioscorea sylvatica - Dioscoreaceae, Eastern South Africa, Drakensberg. A summer growing/winter dormant perennial herbaceous vine that rapidly forms a fascinating corky caudex. This species, close to the classic elephant's foot plant, grows much faster and is more cold hardy, probably tolerating hard frosts. Young plants sometimes skip dormancy in
mild climates. The vine, bearing glossy heart-shaped leaves, can twine 15 ft. up into trees or on a trellis. Male plants bear small spikes of yellow, fragrant flowers. Female plants produce spikes of papery, three-winged fruit. The caudex is low and broad, widening by growth at its periphery. The surface is covered with tubercles of dark cork. It is possible to raise the caudex gradually with each repotting to produce interesting forms. In the ground the caudex may reach 2 ft. across in 4 years and must be shaded from direct sun. Sow seed in spring. The easiest to grow of the caudex formers. 25 seeds Sold out 2008

Fuchsia campos-portoi - Onagraceae. A species from above tree line in a narrow area of southeastern Brazil related to F. regia, but of smaller stature. Makes an attractive shrub to 3 or 4 ft. high and as wide with very fine, lacy foliage. This species can clamber up into other shrubs and small trees, but is far less aggressive than other species in the F. regia group. The bright pink flower buds have a tear drop shape and open to reveal the typical purplish skirt of petals. Fuchsia mite resistant. Particularly cold hardy, having maintained undamaged foliage in the SF Bay area during the 1990 freeze at 16 deg. F. Also said to be exceptionally heat tolerant. Germinates without special treatment. 25 seeds

Geranium richardsonii - Geraniaceae. Herbaceous perennial native to the western US with handsome, dissected leaves, growing in bright shade to full sun in coastal CA. About 12 in. tall and 18 in. wide. This form from Colorado has particularly large flowers and was brought into cultivation by Robin Parer of Geraniaceae Nursery. The flowers are about 1 inch across, white streaked with purple. This is a dimorphic species that has a certain number of smaller flowered, strictly female plants in nature, but this seed was produced by selfing the large, hermaphroditic form and we expect most of the seedlings to be large flowered. Sow seeds in fall for spring germination. 6-8 seeds per packet

Grevillea manglesii var. ornithopoda - Proteaceae. A willowy shrub to small weeping tree with interesting foliage shaped, as the varietal name suggests, like a bird foot. Found by seasonal watercourses in West Australia. The lacy white flowers are borne in pendant terminal racemes year round. The Grevillea Book refers to this species as “rare and poorly known.” It is occasionally grown in South African gardens, but may be new to CA. Easy to grow. Cold hardiness unknown. Sow seed in fall. 5 seeds per packet.

Hippeastrelia (Hippeastrum X Sprekelia) - Amaryllidaceae. A limited amount of F2 seed available produced by F1 plants deriving from a cross between Hippeastrum and Sprekelia. These bi-generic plants began flowering in 4 to 5 years from seed and reliably produce large bright red flowers about 8 in. by 6 in. across held in pairs above the foliage on 12 to 18 in. stalks. They may be kept dry for winter dormancy, or kept growing with year round watering and feeding indoors without apparent harm. For garden growing they need bright light, warmth, water, and feeding during summer, excellent drainage in areas with wet winters. Plant the seeds in a well drained seedling mix at a depth of about 1/2 in. Keep warm and moist and provide bright light. Do not allow the seedlings to go dormant for the first few years and feed regularly to reduce the time until first flowering. Expect variation among seedlings across the range from Sprekelia to Hippeastrum. 6 seeds per packet

Littonia modesta – Colchicaceae. Tender South African tuber producing stalks up to 3 ft. tall that seek support by graceful leaf tip tendrils. 3 inch pendant bright yellow to orange flowers generally develop large seed pods. Summer growing, winter dormant. Use a well drained mix and provide regular water and fertilizer in summer. Store dry and frost free through the winter. Good germination may be achieved by removing the red pulp covering the seeds and sowing under warm conditions. Like its relative, Gloriosa, this is a poisonous plant containing colchicine, so wear gloves when removing the pulp from the seeds. 10 seeds per packet.

Medinilla speciosa – Melastomataceae. Native to mountain forests of Indonesia this small woody shrub makes a dramatic house plant and may be grown out of doors in coastal California. The leaves are large (up to 8 in. long and 6 in. wide) with heavy substance and prominent veins. Numerous small pink flowers are borne on pink stems in large, long lasting, pendant panicles. Fruits begin pink and slowly acquire a blue cast, turning dark blue when ripe. Germination is prompt and at high rates. The fine seed may be treated as in Rhododendron. Use a fine, free draining acid mix to start. As plants develop, transfer to a coarser, fir bark based mix and feed regularly. An impressive house plant, but can be grown outdoors in coastal California. 25-30 seeds per packet

Nivenia corymbosa - Iridaceae, South Africa. Winter growing. One of the woody irids that grow into true woody shrubs and produce hundreds of gentian blue flowers in the heat of summer. The more sun, the more flowers. This is the easiest species to grow and large container plants in full sun will flower from June to November. Grow in a well drained sandy mix with peat. Seed should be sown in fall or winter (in coastal California) and may take a month to six weeks to germinate. 20 seeds

Paris polyphylla - Melanthiaceae (Trilliaceae). Summer growing rhizomatous perennial to 2 ft. in height for a woodland setting or pot culture is native to the Himalayas and China. Stalked leaflets born in elegant, propeller-like whorls of from 4 to more than 20 per growth. Stalked inflorescence with tight basal whorl of sessile leafy tepals followed by a set of long, erect, antennae-like yellow tepals, an array of erect, spear-like, violet and orange anthers surrounding a blue-violet, polygonal ovary that bears a crown of curled purple stigma lobes. Bizarre and showy for several months. Much easier to grow than
Trillium, readily forming divisible clumps with regular feeding. With two individuals present, bright red seed masses are produced. Sow in fall for spring germination. Tolerant of wet winters and cold hardy to zone 6. 5 seeds per packet Sold out 2008

Petronymphe decora - Themidaceae (Anthericaceae) Extremely rare Mexican bulb related to Bessera. Atop 18 inch stalks, drooping umbels 4 inches across bear gracefully pendant, tubular, yellow green flowers 2.5 inches in length that are probably pollinated by hawk moths. The leaves are shiny green and a bit fleshy. Summer growing and flowering, winter dormant. Provide good drainage, plenty of water and moderate fertilizer in summer. Keep on the dry side in winter. Sow seeds with warm weather. Limited quantities. 4 seeds per packet

Rigidella orthantha (=Tigridia orthantha) - Iridaceae. Strikingly beautiful summer growing bulb of southern Mexican cloud forests with handsome pleated leaves to 2.5 ft. producing numerous orange red flowers with elegantly reflexed petals just above the foliage. Each flower lasts about 2 days, but many are produced in a long sequence from each inflorescence. Most flowers are a pure fiery red, while some have bright yellow reticular makings. Vulnerable to hard frost in a pot, but survives in the ground. Limited quantities. 5 seeds per packet.

Semele androgyna - Ruscaceae. Climbing butcher’s broom, or gibalbera, from Madeira and the Canary Isles is known for its elegant, shining, pinnately arranged, leaf-like phylloclades that make beautiful cut foliage for flower arrangement. This plant requires no summer water once established. Two to three robust twining stems emerge like asparagus shoots each spring and spiral more than 15 ft. up into trees or around a pole, extending numerous, gracefully arching lateral branches. In mature plants, distal branches bear phylloclades edged in small cream flowers that produce large red berries in summer. More berries are produced with two individuals present. Sow seeds in fall. Germination may be slow, but is reliable. Growth is slow for the first 2-3 years and then quickens. Limited, 5 seeds per packet. Plants were undamaged at 16 deg F in the 1990 freeze.

Sinningia tubiflora - Gesneriaceae. Fascinating tuberous perennial from Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay producing upright flower stalks to 2 ft. from attractive and silky-soft foliage. The pendant white flowers have up-curved mouths and are borne in pairs along the stalk. They can reach 3 inches in length, and put out a delicious daphne-like scent especially in the evening. This vigorous, floriferous plant is winter dormant and cold hardy to as low as USDA zone 7. Very fine seed: surface sow and cover with plastic or glass to maintain humidity until several sets of leaves are produced, then gradually remove cover. 100 seeds

Solandra sp. – Solanaceae. This is a “big boned” scandent plant originating from Costa Rican cloud forest (Braulio Carillo) above 2000 m that produces hundreds of large “cup of gold” flowers all summer in a bright situation. The handsome foliage with purplish petioles and veins may be more cold hardy than species already in cultivation as it continues to grow through SF Bay area winters and has yet to show significant leaf drop. Best sown in late spring. 6-8 seeds per packet.

Talbotia(=Xerophyta) elegans -Velloziaceae. A tough, slow creeping herbaceous perennial to 12 inches in height with glossy, three-ranked leaves and 1 -1.5 inch, white or pale pink, star-shaped flowers borne on wiry 4-5 inch stems, native to the Drakensberg Mts. in eastern S. Africa. In nature plants are found in forest shade on mossy rocks that dry during the winter. This plant and many of its relatives possess an amazing ability called “desiccation tolerance” allowing them to slowly dry out almost completely and revive within hours when water becomes available. As drying proceeds, the leaves slowly fold closed along the midvein, acquire an amethyst cast, and eventually turn purple. Water thoroughly, and the plant is lush and green again the next day. An excellent pot plant or for creating a patch of quality foliage in bright to deep shade. Water and feed freely in summer for best growth. This species is self incompatible apparently with only one clone in cultivation in CA until recently. Seeds must be refrigerated to guard viability and will then last 1 year. Sow shallowly under warm, moist conditions in a sandy, acid seedling mix. Water from below until the small seedlings anchor themselves firmly. Feed early and regularly to speed development. Can be grown outside, where it is pest free, or inside, where flowering is extended, but aphids attracted. Cold hardy to at least 16 degrees F. 20 seeds per packet.