Clivia Mirabilis

Habitat and Distribution

Clivia Mirabilis seem to occur only in the Oorlogskloof Nature reserve in the Northern Cape where they can be found growing in humus between cracks in sandstone rock. They grow in the shade of evergreen trees but some clumps grow in full sun. These plants show signs damage caused by the sun and dry conditions.

Plant Structure and Leaves

Plants seem to be similar in most ways to the C. Nobilis as the leaves are more firm with rounded tips than the other species. The line along the length of the leaves is clearer than in the case of Nobilis. Length of the leaves is usually between 800 and 1200 mm in height. These leaves are 25 to 40 mm wide and 800 to 1200 mm long, narrowing to a slightly rounded point.

Flowers and Berries

The orange-red pendulous flowers that appear to be bi-colour are bourne on orange-red pedicels. There are between 20 and 48 florets bourne on a purple-red peduncle during October to November.

The berries ripen to bright red with one to three seeds each by March, which is much faster than all the other species. Occasionally some fruit have up to seven seeds.

Information from the Clivia Society