Nerine bowdenii

Nerine bowdenii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is an herbaceous bulbous perennial, growing to 45 cm (18 in) tall by 8 cm (3 in), 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).[1] Confusingly the name “Guernsey lily” is also applied to a related species, Nerine sarniensis.

For another plant known as Guernsey lily, see Nerine sarniensis.

Nerine bowdenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Nerine
Species:
N. bowdenii
Binomial name
Nerine bowdenii

The species was named in 1904 after Athelstan Cornish-Bowden who had sent bulbs of the plant to England from South Africa.[2][3][4]

Description

N. bowdenii bulbs are 12 to 14 centimetres (4.7 to 5.5 in) in circumference.[5] 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.[6] Because the leaves do not appear until spring, the species can tolerate lower temperatures than most species in the genus Nerine.[7]

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 −15 °C (5 °F).[4] 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.[8] However, it will not tolerate tropical or very humid weather.[9][10] It is suggested that colchicums and cyclamens are good choices of companion plants to grow with this species.[4]

Cultivars

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

  • Nerine bowdenii[11] (pink)
  • 'Isabel'[12] (deep pink)
  • 'Quinton Wells'[13] (bright pink)
  • 'Stefanie'[14] (pale pink, recurved petals)
  • 'Zeal Giant'[15] (deep salmon pink)

Biochemistry

The bulbs of Nerine bowdenii contain ungeremine, a betaine-type alkaloid, and a number of other alkaloids.[16] 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.[17]

Diseases

The plant virus, vallota mosaic virus, has been found to infect Nerine bowdenii and other members of the genus Nerine in the UK.[18]

See also

References
  1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  2. Watson, W. (26 November 1904). "Nerine bowdenii". The Gardeners' Chronicle. 36 third series: 365.
  3. David, John (26 October 2007), "The Nerine bowdenii story" (PDF), Report of the Proceedings of Hardy Nerine Study Day, RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee and the Nerine & Amaryllid Society
  4. Rees, Alun (12 November 2013). "How to grow: Nerine bowdenii". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  5. "Nerine bowdenii". Holland Technical Service Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  6. Will, Giles (2007). Encyclopedia of exotic plants for temperate climates. Timber Press. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-88192-785-6.
  7. Burke, Don (2005). The complete Burke's backyard: the ultimate book of fact sheets. Murdoch Books. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-74045-739-2.
  8. Easton, Valorie; Hartlage, Richard (2002). Plant Life: Growing a Garden in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch Books. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-57061-305-0.
  9. Urquhart, Paul (2004). Growing Bulbs. Murdoch Books. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-74045-520-6.
  10. Raven, Sarah (2001). The bold and brilliant garden. frances lincoln ltd. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-7112-1752-2.
  11. "Nerine bowdenii". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  12. "Nerine bowdenii 'Isabel'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  13. "Nerine bowdenii 'Quinton Wells'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  14. "Nerine bowdenii 'Stefanie'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. "Nerine 'Zeal Giant'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  16. 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. doi:10.1021/ja01495a057.
  17. 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. doi:10.1248/bpb.27.1804. PMID 15516727.
  18. Monger, W. A.; R. A. Mumford (18 July 2008). "Vallota mosaic virus infecting nerine in the UK". Plant Pathology. 57 (4): 768. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3059.2008.01850.x. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013.
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