INTRODUCTION

This is one of the most rare gems of the Chilean Amarillidaceae. It has beautiful purple-colored flowers. A typical feature of Placea is the funnel-shaped basal crown which protects the estambres. The combination of purple with the yellow-colored anthers guarantees a very effective look and much admiration in your garden.

Image of Placea amoena

IV Region, Combarbala, Chile
Altitude: 1000 m. 09 19, 2008

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Perennial
Bulb Plant

Flower: Red, 6 petals

Height: 30 cm.

Image of Placea amoena

IV Region, Combarbala, Chile
Altitude: 1000 m. 09 19, 2008

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Low altitude, interior valleys

Watering conditions:

Dry, arid areas, with long drought periods of 6 - 10 months. Precipitations of 100 mm - 300 mm. are concentrated in winter.

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.
Some shadow. Some protection against direct sunlight, some shadow from vegetation, filtering about 20 - 40 % of light.
In shadow. Steep slopes facing south or a vegetation cover which filters 40 - 80 % of light.

It grows in a very restricted semi-desert area in northern Chile, and even there it is decimated by goats. So the last surviving plants find refuge under thorny shrubs. However, would it not be for the goats its preferred habitat would be open areas of the hills.

Image of Placea amoena

IV Region, Combarbala, Chile
Altitude: 1000 m. 09 19, 2008

USES

Excellent ornamental value (A +)

Image of Placea amoena

IV Region, Combarbala, Chile
Altitude: 1000 m. 09 19, 2008

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 9. The plant does not tolerate snow, but can tolerate occasional freezing spells of about - 5° C (the typical morning frost of central Chile).

Very easy to cultivate

Good germination, 60 - 80 %

Recommended germination temperature: +14°C +18°C

The cultivation is quite easy - the seeds are very easy to germinate. Start germination with a relatively low temperature (a kind of short cold stratification) and then after a few days increase to about 15 - 18 C. The plant takes about three years to bloom from seeds.

If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop.

More photos (10) of Placea amoena Phil available here

More species from the same family in our data base: