Eremurus robustus
Eremurus robustus, the foxtail lily or giant desert candle, is a species of flowering plant in the asphodel family, native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in central Asia that is often used as an ornamental plant.
Eremurus robustus | |
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E. robustus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asphodelaceae |
Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
Genus: | Eremurus |
Species: | E. robustus |
Binomial name | |
Eremurus robustus (Regel) Regel | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Henningia robusta Regel |
It is a very tall, narrow plant with a stem 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) high, and leaves as long as 48 in (120 cm) and 4 in (10 cm) wide, the widest in its genus. The deciduous leaves can vary from a bright green to a bluish-green in color. The inflorescence grows to 4 ft (1.2 m) in length and is covered with many deep to pale pink or white flowers, 4 cm (1.6 in) across. At the base of the flower is a brown blotch with a green keel.[3] The lower flowers have long pedicels, with shorter ones higher up. The flowers, as many as 700 to 800 of them, bloom in June.[4] By the time of flowering, the leaves will usually have already shrivelled.
The Latin specific epithet robustus means “sturdy, growing strongly”.[5]
The plant was introduced from Central Asia to Europe and North America in 1874 and is popular in gardens.[6] However some may find the plant to be too tall for normal gardens.[7] It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun.
In cultivation in the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[8][9]
Notes
- IUCN (2015-12-18). "Eremurus robustus: Chadburn, H.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22486428A22486766". doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2017-3.rlts.t22486428a22486766.en.
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(help) - "Eremurus robustus (Regel) Regel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- Thomas, Graham Stuart (June 1, 2005). Perennial Garden Plants. frances lincoln ltd. ISBN 0-7112-2403-X. p. 160.
- Royal Horticultural Society 2006. Eremurus robustus Archived 2006-09-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on October 6, 2006.
- Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
- Bryan, John E (June 7, 2002). Bulbs. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-529-2. p. 222.
- Hessayon, D G (December 31, 1995). The Bulb Expert. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 0-903505-42-8. p. 38.
- "RHS Plantfinder - Eremurus robustus". Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 35. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
References
- Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
External links
