Gethyllis

Abstract: SUMMARY An account of the 10 genera and 35 species of the family Amaryllidaceae is providedfor the Flora Zambesiaca area. Crinum is the largest genus w ith 16 species, followed by Ammocharis and Cyrtanthus each with four species, and Scadoxus with three species. Pancratium and Nerine each have two species, and Brunsvigia , Cryptostephanus , Boophone and Gethyllis contain one each. Several names are reduced to synonymy.Keys to genera and species are provided along with notes on distribution.K EY WORDS : Amaryllidaceae – Flora Zambesiaca – taxonomy INTRODUCTIONMajor monographic studies on the family Amaryllidaceae have been carried out by Hebert(1837), Baker (1888) and Pax & Hoffman (1930). Important floral studies include those byBaker (1896, 1898) in South Africa and tropical Africa, respectively, Nordal (1982, 1987,1997) in East Africa, Cameroon and Ethiopia, respectively, and Hutchinson & Dalziel (1936)in West Africa.Generic delimitation, except in the case of Crinum and Ammocharis,

Abstract: Gethyllis multifo/ia and Gethyl/is villose (Family: AMARYLLIDACEAE) are indigenous geophytes, growing naturally in the Worcester area, Western Cape. G. muliiiolie falls in the Vulnerable category of the Red Data List of Southern African Plants while G. vil/osa is not threatened at all. Both these species are winter growers and start their growing phase between March and April. These bulbs start their dormant phase between September and October when their leaves start to die down. Flowers of both species are short-lived and borne towards the end of November and early December when no leaves are present. The leaves and berries are simultaneously pushed above ground at the onset of the new growing phase. The fruit of some Gethyl/is species is sweet, juicy, pleasantly aromatic and good to eat and has medicinal properties for the cure of various ailments. The genus is difficult to propagate asexually and very little is known about its propagation and cultivation. The fragrance and medicinal value of the fruit of G. multifolia necessitates future research in the commercial production of this species. A habitat observation study of the two species was conducted to assess the vulnerable status of G. multitolie. Asexual propagation experiments were conducted to find ways of reproducing these two species successfully. A hydro culture study was also conducted to ascertain whether this method of cultivation could be incorporated in the general cultivation of the two species. Finally an in vitro propagation study was conducted to look at faster methods of reproducing these two species. This is of extreme importance in the conservation of the vulnerable G. multitolie. Leaf, root and basal plate cuttings were unsuccessful with no rooting in both species. G. mulfifo/ia bulbs were propagated successfully using twin scaling, bulb cuttings, scooping and scoring propagation techniques with between 80% and 100% rooting success. G. vil/osa was unsuccessful using the above propagation techniques with a 0 40% rooting rate. Although Gefhyl/is species in general are sensitive to over-watering, the hydro culture experiment with the sub-irrigation system and leca pellet medium proved to be an effective method of cultivating both species throughout the growing phase. G. mulfifo/ia proved to be unsuccessful during the initial in vitro propagation experiments with no surviving explants during the initiation phase. Results improved with an increased number of trials. It is possible to grow