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SPECIAL PLANTS AND SEEDS AND THOSE NEW TO CULTIVATION. SEEDS. Some of the interesting seeds we have available at the moment include species in the Genus Othonna and Pelargonium. We also have stocks of various Commiphora species. A few photographs of the more unusual plants from which we are currently selling seeds follow below. PLANTS. Some photographs follow of scarce and unusual plants and those new to cultivation. This section of the web site is updated with new photographs as material becomes available in the nursery. Click on the images to view enlarged image>>

Pelargonium caroli-henrici. Pelargonium caroli-henrici is one of the most beautiful and ornamental species in the Section Hoarea. The compound foliage is densely pubescent and is produced in winter. The leaves wither in early October and at this time the numerous umbels of colourful delicate flowers are produced. We offer both flowering size tubers and seeds of this rare unusual plant produced in cultivation. P. caroli-henrici has been introduced to cultivation within the last few years. Pelargonium sericifolium. This species has some of the most beautiful flowers of any plants in the Namaqualand floral display. The plants are winter growing, flowering in early spring and entering dormancy for the duration of the summer. Seeds are produced in the nursery in limited amounts and plants are usually grown on to order taking about 2 years to reach flowering size. This species has been known for a long time but is not frequently offered owing to the paucity of seed production in cultivation. Pelargonium aestivale. Pelargonium aestivale is the only Section Hoarea Pelargonium from the summer rainfall Great Karoo. The plants behave like winter growers sprouting leaves in March and April when the autumn rains fall. The leaves wither in early summer and the peak of the flowering period is usually October and November. We offer both flowering size tubers and seeds of this attractive species, produced in the nursery. This species has recently been introduced to cultivation. Nerine laticoma (white flowered plants) The white flowered form of Nerine laticoma is found in the Limpopo River basin in north eastern South Africa. The huge umbels of white flowers resemble those of a Brunsvigia and are particularly ornamental and attractive. The nursery offers young plants, a few years old and flowering size bulbs. Seeds are offered at seeding time between December and February. Othonna herrei x Othonna cyclophylla. This unusual hybrid has been produced in the nursery in recent years. The hybrids produce largely sterile flowers but some specimens produce seeds. This novelty is currently being introduced to cultivation. The plants have trunks with a honey coloured tortoise shell pattern. The growing points have the typical “white wool” that characterizes Othonna cyclophylla. Dense clusters of leaves are borne throughout the winter and the large ornamental flowers are a bright lemon yellow. A limited number of plants are available and some seeds will be available as from June 2002. Nerine gracilis. Nerine gracilis used to be a common species in moist, short grassland around sheets of exposed dolerite in western Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng. It is now well on its way to extinction owing to habitat destruction and degradation. Plants are readily produced in cultivation and several attractive flower colours are offered in the nursery. The plants make ideal container subjects and are ideally suited to wetland features if these are allowed to dry out in the winter months. Temperatures in habitat frequently drop to below zero degrees Celsius during the winter months. The photograph depicts a plant with bright pink flowers. The painting was painted in habitat by the well known South African botanical artist Gillian Condy. It depicts a group of plants with lavender pink flowers growing in one of the very few large remaining colonies that remain. Pelargonium incrassatum. Penrock Seeds and Plants specialises in producing Pelargonium incrassatum. Various flower colours have been bred as well as plants with large very showy umbels of flowers. Thousands of seeds are sown in the nursery each year and we supply flowering size and younger tubers for the international trade to wholesale and retail. Tubers and seeds are available. Ornithogalum nova species. This newly discovered species appears to be narrowly confined to dolomite outcrops in the Zeerust district of the North West Province. The plants grow in shallow soil and curiously produce the characteristic single leaf in the winter. The bristled leaves and the unusual cluster of flowers borne at ground level make the plants suited to ornamental container planting as indicated by the flowering plants in the photograph. Seed and bulbs are available currently in limited amounts. Ledebouria galpinii. This dwarf species is one of the endangered plants in Mpumalanga found only on one mountain top and threatened by urban expansion. Plants have adapted well to cultivation and some interesting cultivars have been selected for export. These have very dark mauvish black and also reddish tinged densely pustulate leaves. Seeds and flowering size plants are available. Resnova megaphylla. This species has amongst the most ornamental foliage of South African bulbous plants. The spots on the leaves vary in colour and size. Colours are dark brown, liver brown, army green, mauvish brown and dark brown, almost black. Many leaves have underlying clouded ashy grey markings. Seeds and plants are available including selected forms with dark and evenly spaced dense leaf markings. Ledebouria hypoxidoides. This impressive species has large finely pubescent leaves which look like dark green velvet with a silvery sheen. The photograph was taken near Grahamstown. The species is only known from the hills around Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape where it is becoming progressively more scarce owing to urban expansion of the town and habitat degradation. These plants are still rare in cultivation. They require strong direct sunlight to look their best. Bulbs and seeds are available, produced from cultivated stocks in the nursery. Othonna armiana Othonna armiana is a very rare species known from only one mountain top in the central Richtersveld. These plants are in flower and leaf at the beginning of the winter growing season. Othonna euphorbioides Othonna euphorbioides makes an excellent container subject. Othonna euphorbioides Othonna euphorbioides thrives in rounded earthenware containers which conserve moisture such as this container with its narrow rim Othonna euphorbioides Three year old Othonna euphorbioides in the nursery. Othonna euphorbioides Othonna euphorbioides photographed in its rocky habitat near Steinkopf in Northern Namaqualand. Othonna euphorbioides Othonna euphorbioides make attractive container subjects when grouped close together in earthenware containers. Othonna cacalioides Othonna cacalioides from Southern Namaqualand grows in shallow soil over sheets of exposed rock. This plant has been photographed in dormancy. Othonna cakilifolia Othonna cakilifolia is a caudiciform species with striking mauve flowers. Othonna hallii Othonna hallii is a rare caudiciform species found on highly alkaline soils near Vredendal in Southern Namaqualand. These alkaline growing conditions should be imitated in cultivation. Othonna herrei Othonna herrei is a rare species in nature, found growing on hills and mountains of the central Richtersveld. Othonna herrei A 5 year old hard grown Othonna herrei plant in the nursery. Othonna herrei A 2 year old Othonna herrei seedling photographed whilst dormant. Othonna herrei Othonna herrei photographed at the height of dormancy in mid summer. Othonna lepidocaulis The form of Othonna lepidocaulis found near Bitterfontein has characteristic undulate succulent leaves. This plant was photographed at the beginning of the winter growing season. Othonna lepidocaulis Othonna lepidocaulis is ideally suited to ornamental container planting. Othonna lepidocaulis Othonna lepidocaulis photographed during its summer dormancy. Othonna lepidocaulis Othonna lepidocaulis beginning to sprout leaves in early May at the start of its growing season. Othonna lepicocaulis Othonna lepicocaulis from the Riethuis area of Central Namaqualand has lanceolate or oblong highly succulent leaves. Othonna littoralis Othonna littoralis is one of the most ornamental species found along the Namib Desert coastline of South Western Namibia, from Luderitz southwards. Othonna retrofracta Othonna retrofracta in the Western Cape near Robertson and Worcester has very ornamental caudexes making it ideally suited to container planting. Othonna retrofracta Othonna retrofracta found on the mountains fringing the Western Karoo has golden brown peeling bark. These plants are displayed in a hand hewn sandstone bowl. Othonna retrofracta Othonna retrofracta typically flowers during the coldest months of the southern winter. Othonna wrinkleana Othonna wrinkleana is a newly described species from one mountain in southern Namaqualand, near Bitterfontein. It is very rare in nature but readily propagated from seed in cultivation. Othonna wrinkleana Othonna wrinkleana leaves beginning to emerge at the start of the winter growing season. Othonna nova Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg has some of the most ornamental stems of any othonna species Othonna nova Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg planted in hand made terracotta containers with a rough texture and iron oxide burnish Othonna nova Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg photographed at the beginning of the winter growing season. Othonna nova Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg in full winter growth Othonna nova Second year Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg seedlings in the nursery. Othonna nova Othonna nova species east of Luderitz, south western Namibia. This interesting species has masses of highly succulent tripinnately compound leaves during the winter months when there is the highest incidence of coastal fog from which the plants receive their moisture. Othonna herrei Othonna herrei x Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg is one of the most attractive of all the othonna hybrids produced in the nursery. Othonna herrei Details of the trunks of Othonna herrei x Othonna nova species Rosyntjieberg.