Bonatea speciosa wild #5059.15 (approximately 15 seedlings per flask).

The Species: This grows in South Africa as a terrestrial plant and can reach 39" tall. Charlie Baker wrote "It is usually found in sandy soils in coastal scrub, on forest margins, in open deciduous woodlands, and sometimes in savannas and has been found from near sea level to about 3950 ft." The 2" flowers have a spicey fragrance and are carried on a tall inflorescense which can have up to 40 flowers. The plant is generally an evergreen species. The old growth starts to die back as the new growths appear.

Culture: Temperatures are cool in the winter and moderate to warm (but not hot) in the summers. From October through March rainfall is reduced but not absent. Some sources say to let the plant dry between waterings during the winter, others say to keep the roots moist. Potting mixes should include sand with some organic material. Some recommend 3 parts good potting soil and 1 part sand with some compost added.

Bonatea speciosa, representative images: