About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
- Habit
- tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
- Flower
- WhiteRead from the photograph on this page
- Native range
- Cape ProvincesGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Read from the photograph on this page — Deno's Garden; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.
Protocol 1
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around August 13, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on August 12, 2026.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 180 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Cold moist stratification
Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 56 days.
100% germination in 28–56 days.
Protocol 2
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around June 12, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 11, 2026.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 180 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
38 germinated in this phase.
- 3
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 28 days.
62% germination in 14–28 days.
Protocol 3
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 180 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: light
24 germinated in this phase.
- 3
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.
52% germination in 21 days.
Protocol 4
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around February 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on February 15, 2025.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 730 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Cold moist stratification
Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 2 years from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 49 days.
50% germination in 28–49 days.
How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.
Germination trials
Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials
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