Clivia nobilis

  • Clivia Nobilis
  • Clivia Nobilis
  • Clivia Nobilis
  • Clivia Nobilis
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Botanical Name
Clivia nobilis
Family
Amaryllidaceae - The amaryllis family.
Pronunciation
KLY-vee-ah NO-bil-iss
Common Name(s)
English: Bush lily; Cape clivia
IsiXhosa: ugobeleweni
Plant Group
  • Bulb / Corm / Rhizome / Tuber / Epigeal bulb Bulbs: are made up of fleshy scales as in an onion Corm: a short, swollen, underground stem that is hard and not fleshy as in a gladiolus Tuber: a solid, fleshy, underground, storage organ as in a potato Rhizome: an underground, horizontal, swollen stem at the base of the plant as in an iris Epigeal bulb: bulbs that rest above the ground with only the roots anchoring the plant to the earth as in albuca
Plant Size
  • Medium to Large
    Tree15m to 20m
    Shrub2m to 3m
    Perennial/ground cover60cm to 75cm
    Bulb60cm to 1m
    Succulent60cm to 1m
Position
  • Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
  • Deep / Full Shade Shade below spreading evergreen trees where sun's rays are unable to penetrate the canopy at any time. For light sensitive plants
  • Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
General Information
  • Attractive fruits, berries or seeds Brightly coloured fruits or berries increase and extend the visual impact of the plant and are especially attractive to birds and other small wildlife.
  • Drought Tolerance: Moderate The plant is moderately adapted to arid conditions and can survive short periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
  • Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
  • Frost: Tender A plant that will not survive any frost or low winter temperatures.
  • Sand tolerant Plants adapted to survive in nutrient poor, very sandy soils.
  • Water Loving Plants need a regular supply of water and must not be allowed to dry out for any length of time.
  • Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.
Specific Information

Clivia nobilis grow from a tuberous rhizome (which is highly toxic) from which a mass of thick roots grow. The dull, green strap shaped leaves arise from the ground and form a dense clump. In deep shade the leaves are somewhat upright and can grow to 80cm in length, while in light shade the leaves lie almost horizontally and are much shorter, being 20 - 25 cm long. The leaves make a good contrast with both the flowers and the bright red, marble sized seeds, which remain on the plant for a year before they ripen. Clivia nobilis is the slowest growing of all the Clivia species.

Many populations of ​Clivia nobilis in its natural habitat have been destroyed as a result of over harvesting by plant collectors.

Mole-rats, (not Moles), are partial to clivia and if you are plagued by these pesty little mammals it is best to consider keeping these bulbs in a container. Care must be taken if damage by slugs, snails and snout beetles is noticed as these may need to be eliminated.
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Flowers
Description

40 - 60 tubular flowers hanging in a cluster from a thick stem
Season
  • Autumn to Spring Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
Colour
  • red
  • orange-green
Growth Rate
  • Very Slow Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.
Plant Uses
  • Accent or Focal Point A plant used to attract the attention because of its colour or form.
  • Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
  • Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
  • Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
  • Ground Cover Low-lying plants that spread fast, require minimal maintenance, and cover large expanses or bare areas between bulbs or shrubs. They provide protection from erosion and drought and improve the visual appearance of the garden.
  • Mass Planting Plants useful for filling a large area with just one or a few kinds of plants spaced close together. Creates a bold, dramatic effect and to reduces maintenance.
  • Pot Plant A plant that needs a protected environment on a patio or indoors.
  • Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
  • Suitable for seaside gardens Plants that will survive the hostile environment of harsh salty winds, dry sandy soil, irregular rainfall and heat found in seaside gardens.
  • Water Features These plants may have dramatic, lush foliage or graceful form. They do not shed excessive leaves and do not have invasive root systems.
Distribution and Habitat

in isolated groups along the coast from the Alexandria Forest to Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape, on dune sand, river banks and on shale and rocky outcrops, in low bush cover or high forest canopy
Planting Suggestions

Plant in full or dappled shade with plenty of compost and mulch, and water regularly during spring and summer. Clivia nobilis can survive with much less water than Clivia miniata.  Feed and compost during the summer months for better results. Watering can be greatly reduced during the winter months, when the plants are at rest. If planted in containers make sure the soil is well drained and rich in compost. Use a liquid fertiliser to keep them well fed. Although they need good air circulation, cold winds will cause serious, long term damage so make sure they are placed in a sheltered position. The best method of propagation is to split up the clumps but bear in mind that Clivias resent being moved and can take up to two years to flower after being separated. Do not lift them until they are over-crowded and show signs of stress, such as reduced flower quality and quantity - or a cracked container!

If you are prepared to wait for 6 or more years until they flower, Clivia nobilis can be grown from seed. When you are ready to sow, remove the pulp from the pearly white seeds and plant in a deep tray (they will stay there for two years), filled with a sterilised seedling mix. Press the seeds gently into the mix, just level with the soil surface and keep an eye out for algal growth on the soil surface. Seeds will germinate in four to six weeks.
Medicinal Uses

The rhizomes of clivias are toxic and the medicinal use of them is not encouraged. At low doses, ingestion causes salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea, while higher doses result in paralysis and collapse. Clivias in the wild are collected for magical and medicinal uses.
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Comments

Hi lorrain, what is the possibility and price for bulbs to be sent to the uk? I am planting a SA garden in Portugal and would like your help with some sugestions?

Submitted by Andre on Tue, 08/07/2012 - 14:28

Hello Andre

As I do not have permits for exporting plants I am unable to help you. However Rob from the Shire Wild Bulb Nursery is an exporter and has a wide range of South African bulbs as well as knowledge about them. He is reliable and reasonably priced. Click on the link for his nursery on the right hand side of this page to go directly to his website. I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

Regards
Lorraine

Submitted by Lorraine on Wed, 08/08/2012 - 10:55

The clivia root system is being eating leaving the leaves to stay green for a while before turning brown. U can see the hole where the roots were.i have had about twenty of my clivia's attacked like this. I sprayed but its not clivia worm. The roots are eaten only.Help pls.

Submitted by anne on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:47

Hi Anne

From your clear description, the cause of your problem can only be from Mole Rats. Go to my blog at http://kumbulanursery.co.za/blog/those-moles-again, where I have described the difference between Moles and Mole Rats.

If you have not already removed the remains of the Clivias that have been eaten, you will still be able to save some of them. The mole rats often hollow out the bulbs, leaving the remains of the outer part of the bulbs. If you leave these in the ground, the remains of the bulbs will send out roots and the plants will recover in time. Where the whole bulb has been eaten and you are left with only a bunch of leaves, hold the leaves firmly together at the base and plant them in a pot just deeply enough to hold the leaves in place. I have had some, not all, of my clivias actually send out roots from the base of the leaves.

Mole Rats will often ignore a patch of bulbs for years, then almost overnight will destroy the lot. These pests will eat almost any bulb including Albuca, Gladiolus, Watsonias, Haemanthus, Scadoxus, Cyrtanthus, Dierama, root vegetables... the list goes on. The only bulbs I have come across that can safely be left in the ground are Brunsvigia, Boophone, Veltheimia and Eucomis, although there are bound to be others.

Mole Rats are the bane of my life but there is no way to get rid of them. They do not respond to any of the methods used to get rid of Moles. They may disappear for a while as they eat their way through the bulbs in other gardens, but they will be back. I have now got many of my bulbs planted in lined crates and old baths.

You have my sympathy. It is heart-breaking to see the remains of one's prized bulbs after these little brutes have chomped their way through them.

Kind regards
Lorraine

Submitted by Lorraine on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 18:02

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