This is a summer-growing Nerine, one of a genus of beautiful geophytes endemic to southern Africa.

Description
Nerine laticoma includes several forms which were previously recognized as separate species (N. duparquetiana, N. falcata and N. lucida). This species has a tuft of four to eight broad, strap-shaped leaves which can grow to 300 x 15 mm. The bulb is large and deep-seated.

N. laticoma bears a large, spherical inflorescence of white, or pale to rose pink, irregular flowers. The perianth segments grow to 45 x 5 mm and have a pinkish brown, median keel. In one form the segments are strongly recurved. Flowers are borne any time between early January and late March and are short-lived. Flowers are followed by a papery capsule which is the fruit and contains one to many round, or irregularly-shaped, fleshy seeds. Nerine species hybridize easily, so if several species are grown in close proximity, the seed is likely to yield garden hybrids.

Distribution
This species occurs in a broad band stretching from the dry inland parts of Namibia eastwards and southwards through southern Botswana, Limpopo, Gauteng, the North-West, Northern Cape, Free State and Lesotho. It usually occurs in large colonies on deep, red, sandy soils.

Derivation of name and historical aspects
The Greek word Nerine refers to a mythological sea nymph, daughter of the sea gods Nereus and Doris. The epithet laticoma refers to the broad tuft of leaves. Nerine is endemic to southern Africa and comprises about 25 species; widely distributed throughout the region, the main concentration is in the summer rainfall areas, especially in Eastern Cape.

Ecology
This is a summer-growing plant. It survives the cold, dry winters by going dormant. New leaves emerge from the storage organ, the large bulb, in spring when conditions for growth improve.

Uses and cultural aspect
Nerine bulbs contain alkaloids, and this species has the common name gifbol (Afr.), but no traditional uses are recorded for this particular species. Together with other species such as Nerine sarniensis and Nerine masoniorum, these plants are valued primarily for their horticultural potential.

Growing Nerine laticoma

Although very attractive, this species can be difficult to get to flower in cultivation. Plants can be grown in deep pots or in a well-drained rockery in suitable climates. These plants require very high summer temperatures and a completely dry winter period to thrive. Bulbs should be planted with their necks just below soil level. Plant in a sandy medium with a little compost and water heavily in summer while the plant is growing, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Nerine laticoma does not produce offsets, but is easily grown from seed. When the seed is ripe, sow it in deep seed trays in a sandy medium. Just cover the seed. Leave the seedlings in the trays for at least two seasons, after which they can be grown on in larger containers, or planted out in the garden. The broad-leaved N. laticoma takes at least five years to flower for the first time when grown from seed.

Watch out for attacks by the amaryllis lily borer and mealy bugs. Slugs and snails can do great damage to the leaves, and are responsible for transmitting viral disease. Remove the pests by hand or use a bait or repellent such as broken eggshells or tobacco dust in a ring around the base of the plants. Thrips, a minute, narrow, sucking insect can also attack the plant. They are most often found on the undersides of the leaves, resulting in characteristic white streaks. Control severe infestations with a pesticide spray.

References
Duncan, G. 2002. Grow nerines. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Du Plessis, N. & Duncan, G. 1989. Bulbous plants of southern Africa. A guide to their cultivation and propagation. Tafelberg, Cape Town.

Shireen Harris
Free State NBG
October 2003

With additions by Yvonne Reynolds