Nerine bowdenii explained

Nerine bowdenii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is an herbaceous bulbous perennial, growing to 45cm (18inches) tall by 8cm (03inches), with strap-shaped leaves and large umbels of lily-like pink flowers in late summer and autumn.[1] The common names of the species are Cornish lily, Cape flower, Guernsey lily, and Bowden lily. However, it is neither a true lily nor from Cornwall or Guernsey, but originates from South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Drakensberg Mountains). Confusingly the name “Guernsey lily” is also applied to a related species, Nerine sarniensis.

The species was named in 1904 after Athelstan Cornish-Bowden who had sent bulbs of the plant to England from South Africa.[2]

Description

N. bowdenii bulbs are 12to in circumference.[3] The bulbs are "shaped like old-fashioned Chianti bottles".[4] The plant has eight or more faintly-scented bright pink flowers with frilly tips, resembling finely-cut lilies.[5] Because the leaves do not appear until spring, the species can tolerate lower temperatures than most species in the genus Nerine.[6]

Cultivation

Nerine bowdenii is widely cultivated in temperate regions, where it requires warmth and shelter in colder areas, but is quite hardy, being able to withstand temperatures of -15C. It needs to be planted where it cannot be disturbed for several years, and blooms best when the bulbs are crowded. The species grows best in heat and well-drained soil.[7] However, it will not tolerate tropical or very humid weather.[8] [9] It is suggested that colchicums and cyclamens are good choices of companion plants to grow with this species.

Cultivars

The following cultivars have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

Biochemistry

The bulbs of Nerine bowdenii contain ungeremine, a betaine-type alkaloid, and a number of other alkaloids.[15] Ungeremine is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, and as such may be of interest in research into treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Ungeremine also has been isolated from a number of related plant species, such as Ungernia minor, Ungernia spiralis, Zephyranthes flava, Crinum asiaticum, Crinum augustum, Pancratium maritimum and Hippeastrum solandriflorum.[16]

Diseases

The plant virus, vallota mosaic virus, has been found to infect Nerine bowdenii and other members of the genus Nerine in the UK.[17]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
  2. W.. Watson. Nerine bowdenii. The Gardeners' Chronicle. 36 third series. 365. 26 November 1904.
  3. Web site: Nerine bowdenii . 2010-02-08 . Holland Technical Service Bulletin . https://web.archive.org/web/20091125132739/http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/bulbs-perennial/Nerinbo.htm . 2009-11-25 . dead .
  4. News: Rees . Alun . How to grow: Nerine bowdenii . Telegraph.co.uk . 12 November 2013 . 24 September 2016.
  5. Book: Will, Giles . Encyclopedia of exotic plants for temperate climates . Timber Press . 2007 . 134 . 978-0-88192-785-6 .
  6. Book: Burke, Don . The complete Burke's backyard: the ultimate book of fact sheets . Murdoch Books . 2005 . 231 . 978-1-74045-739-2 .
  7. Book: Easton, Valorie . Hartlage, Richard . Plant Life: Growing a Garden in the Pacific Northwest . Sasquatch Books . 2002 . 199 . 978-1-57061-305-0 .
  8. Book: Urquhart, Paul . Growing Bulbs . Murdoch Books . 2004 . 225 . 978-1-74045-520-6 .
  9. Book: Raven, Sarah . The bold and brilliant garden . frances lincoln ltd . 2001 . 151 . 978-0-7112-1752-2 .
  10. Web site: Nerine bowdenii . www.rhs.org . Royal Horticultural Society . 3 January 2021.
  11. Web site: Nerine bowdenii 'Isabel' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  12. Web site: Nerine bowdenii 'Quinton Wells' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  13. Web site: Nerine bowdenii 'Stefanie' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  14. Web site: Nerine 'Zeal Giant' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  15. 10.1021/ja01495a057. Lyle. R. E.. E. A. Kielar . J. R. Crowder . W. C. Wildman . 1960. The Alkaloids of Nerine bowdenii W. Wats. and Crinum moorei J. D. Hook.. Journal of the American Chemical Society . 82 . 10. 2620–2625.
  16. Rhee IK. I. Appels N. Hofte B. Karabatak B. Erkelens C. Stark LM. Flippin LA. Verpoorte R. November 2004. Isolation of the Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Ungeremine from Nerine bowdenii by Preparative HPLC Coupled On-Line to a Flow Assay System. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 27. 11. 1804–1809. 15516727. 10.1248/bpb.27.1804. free.
  17. 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2008.01850.x. Monger. W. A. . R. A. Mumford. 18 July 2008. Vallota mosaic virus infecting nerine in the UK. Plant Pathology . 57. 4. 768. free.

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