Sandersonia aurantiaca

Sandersonia (Scientific name: Sandersonia aurantiaca) is a half-hardy bulbous plant from South Africa, belonging to the Sandersonia genus in the Colchicaceae family (formerly classified in the Liliaceae family). In its native habitat, it grows in sunny, open areas of rocky subalpine regions and forests. The alternate name "Christmas Bells" comes from the fact that this flower blooms around Christmas in South Africa.

The plant has a height of 30 to 100 cm with erect stems. The leaves are yellow-green, long, lanceolate, entire, and alternately arranged. From the leaf axils, slender flower stalks emerge, each bearing a small, lantern-shaped yellow-orange flower. Each stem produces about 8 flowers, which bloom from the bottom upwards. Cut flowers are available even in mid-December. Propagation from seeds takes more than three years, so the plant is usually propagated by dividing the bifurcated bulbs. The bulbs contain toxic alkaloids (colchicine), making them dangerous if ingested.

Origin of the Flower Name
The genus name "Sandersonia" is derived from John Sanderson, a botanist who discovered the flower in 1851. The species name "aurantiaca" means "orange-yellow," referring to the flower's color.

Common Name: Sandersonia, Scientific Name: Sandersonia aurantiaca, Other Names: Christmas bells, Chinese lantern lily, Chinese lantern flower, Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Monocots, Liliales, Colchicaceae, Sandersonia, Origin: South Africa, Height: 30-100 cm, Leaf Color: Yellow-green, Leaf Shape: Lanceolate, pointed, Flowering Period: May to January (usually June to July, excluding midsummer), Flower Shape: Lantern-shaped, Flower Size: 2 cm, Flower Color: Yellow-orange, yellow, Fruit Type: Capsule, Fruit Shape: Spherical, Fruit Color: Dark brown, Uses: Potted plant, floral arrangements, cut flowers, dry flowers, Notes: Toxic plant.

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