Eremurus robustus

Eremurus robustus, the foxtail lily or giant desert candle, is a species of flowering plant in the asphodel family, native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in central Asia that is often used as an ornamental plant.

Eremurus robustus
E. robustus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Eremurus
Species:
E. robustus
Binomial name
Eremurus robustus
Regel

It is a very tall, narrow plant with a stem 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) high, and leaves as long as 48 in (120 cm) and 4 in (10 cm) wide, the widest in its genus. The deciduous leaves can vary from a bright green to a bluish-green in color. The inflorescence grows to 4 ft (1.2 m) in length and is covered with many deep to pale pink or white flowers, 4 cm (1.6 in) across. At the base of the flower is a brown blotch with a green keel.[1] The lower flowers have long pedicels, with shorter ones higher up. The flowers, as many as 700 to 800 of them, bloom in June.[2] By the time of flowering, the leaves will usually have already shrivelled.

The Latin specific epithet robustus means “sturdy, growing strongly”.[3]

The plant was introduced from Central Asia to Europe and North America in 1874 and is popular in gardens.[4] However some may find the plant to be too tall for normal gardens.[5] It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun.

In cultivation in the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]

Notes
  1. Thomas, Graham Stuart (June 1, 2005). Perennial Garden Plants. frances lincoln ltd. ISBN 0-7112-2403-X. p. 160.
  2. Royal Horticultural Society 2006. Eremurus robustus Archived 2006-09-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on October 6, 2006.
  3. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  4. Bryan, John E (June 7, 2002). Bulbs. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-529-2. p. 222.
  5. Hessayon, D G (December 31, 1995). The Bulb Expert. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 0-903505-42-8. p. 38.
  6. "RHS Plantfinder - Eremurus robustus". Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 35. Retrieved 16 February 2018.

References
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