Kniphofia uvaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Kniphofia
Species:
K. uvaria
Binomial name
Kniphofia uvaria
(L.) Oken (1841)

Kniphofia uvaria is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, also known as tritomea, torch lily, or red hot poker, due to the shape and color of its inflorescence. The leaves are reminiscent of a lily, and the flowerhead can reach up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in height. There are many varieties of torch lily, and they bloom at different times during the growing season. The flowers are red, orange, and yellow.

A clump on the shore of Lake Jindabyne in Australia, where it has become an environmental weed
A young inflorescence

Distribution

Kniphofia uvaria originates from the Cape Province of South Africa,[1] and has been introduced into many parts of the world, such as North America, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia and Europe as a garden plant. It is hardy in zones 5–10.

In parts of south-eastern Australia, such as the Central and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and southern Victoria, it has escaped cultivation and become naturalised.[1] It is now regarded as an environmental weed in these locations, spreading from former habitations into natural areas, where it can grow in thick clumps and threaten sensitive ecosystems. Elsewhere in southern Australia it is regarded as a potential environmental weed, and it may have also naturalised in parts of South Australia and California.[1] It is also seen in the Kumaon Himalayas of India, probably brought during the British period.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Factsheet: Red hot poker – Kniphofia uvaria". Weeds of Australia: Biosecurity Queensland Edition. Queensland Government. 2011. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
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