Torch Lily

Torch Lily or Red Hot Poker of the genus Kniphofia  228/365

Torch Lily, is yet another example of a plant that is not really a lily of the genus, lilium, but is of the genus Kniphofia. It’s an exotic plant native to South Africa that produce various shades of red, orange, and yellow. They grow from 2-5 feet high and are extremely hardy, drought and heat tolerant, tolerating just about any type of well-draining soil. Named after 18th century German physician and botanist, Johann H. Kniphof, the plant is closely related to the aloe and produces an abundance of nectar. The  plant attracts both bees and hummingbirds. 

So a lily by any other name is either an Agapanthus or a Kniphofia.

Note to readers: yesterday’s post, I was wrong! Mildred is not a bumble bee but a robber fly. They can be deceptively similar to bumble bees. I had no idea. The educational info about bumblebees still stands. Robber flies are tricky, but still pretty cool.