Tulbaghia cernua CDR 199

Society Garlic Amaryllidaceae

A particularly interesting form of the South African Tulbaghia cernua, grown at Edulis under the collection number CDR 199. This is a robust, winter-dormant species forming stout crowns of broad, grey-green, somewhat fleshy leaves, followed in summer by clusters of relatively small, unusual green flowers with contrasting yellow coronas. Plants reach around 50 cm, making this a considerably more substantial species than many of the commonly grown Tulbaghia.

Our CDR 199 material has a useful history: it was collected by David Fenwick and subsequently entered cultivation in the UK. Significantly, the plant was for a period circulated in the trade as Tulbaghia ludwigiana. DNA work subsequently demonstrated that the CDR 199 clone is actually T. cernua, providing an excellent example of why collection numbers are so valuable when dealing with poorly represented and sometimes confused species. The accession was included as “Tulbaghia cernua Avé-Lall. — David Fenwick CDR199, in trade as T. ludwigiana” in the 2016 molecular phylogenetic study of the genus. 

T. cernua itself is a widely distributed southern African species, occurring from South Africa through Lesotho and into Botswana and Zimbabwe, with populations inhabiting grassland, open bushveld and rocky habitats. Herbarium collections show it growing in remarkably varied situations, from moist grassland and kloofs to dry, stony bushveld, but good drainage and plenty of light appear to be common denominators. 

The species was first published in 1844 by Fischer, C.A. Meyer and Avé-Lallemant. The epithet cernua means “nodding” or “drooping”, presumably referring to the characteristically nodding flowers. Tulbaghia campanulata N.E.Br. is a later synonym. 

Height: 40–50cm
Spread: 30–40cm
Flowers: Summer
Position: Full sun
Soil: Fertile but very well drained
Growth: Winter dormant
Hardiness: H4–H5, best with protection from excessive winter wet

A choice and rather unusual Tulbaghia, particularly valuable for its broad foliage, stout habit and small green-and-yellow flowers. The CDR 199 provenance adds considerably to its interest for collectors of accurately documented South African plants