Species
Bomarea multiflora
Etymology
Bomarea: Named after a French botanist
multiflora: From late Latin, feminine of multiflorus meaning 'bearing many flowers'
Common Name(s)
bomarea
Authority
Bomarea multiflora (L. f.) Mirb.
Family
Alstroemeriaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Monocotyledonous Lianes
Synonyms
Bomarea caldasii
Habitat
Scrambling vine that appears to be shade tolerant but does best in full sun.
Features
A multi-stemmed vine in the lily family that twines around any available support. The stems arise from short underground rhizomes which bear numerous tubers. Flowers are clumped in a dense pendulous bunch of 15-20 together. Reddish on the outside and usually yellow with dark spots on the inside, the flowers develop into capsules about 2 cm in diameter. When ripe, these open to reveal bright orange seeds that are fleshy.
Flowering
March, April, May, June, July
Flower Colours
Red / Pink,Yellow
Fruiting
May to August.
Year Naturalised
1964
Origin
S. America
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental
Life Cycle Comments
Perennial vine that may die back over winter when exposed to severe frost.
Reproduction
Can reproduce by suckering from roots or by seed.
Seed
Fleshy bright orange seeds are produced in capsules
Dispersal
Probably birds.
This page last updated on 12 Jun 2018