Friday, April 17, 2009

Molineria capitulata syn Curculigo capitulata, Weevil lily



Molineria capitulata syn Curculigo capitulata
 Weevil Lily
The common name Weevil lily is an unfortunate one for this quite interesting plant .To me weevils are those pesky little buggers which spoil flour or get into the chook food and spin webs. I have no idea how the name arose. The flowers on this plant are rarely seen as they appear at ground level in small bright yellow clusters and are perhaps pollinated by a marsupial mouse visiting them on the rainforest floor. The lovely pleated leaves can reach at least a metre in length and react to the slightest breeze by rocking back and forth as if slightly drunk. Though a native of Far North Queensland rainforests, it does make an appearance in shady spots in many old gardens. Neglected specimens without humus rich soil and adequate water tend to brown off at the leaf tips spoiling the overall appearance. It spreads by underground rhizomes and is reasonably easy to lift and divide . It makes an excellent edging plant along shady walkways if given plenty of room to spread as shown in the top photo.
2017 update: I currently don't have any stock available.


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