HESSEA INCANA

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Deidré Anne Snijman in 1989. It is found in Kamiesberg in the south-western South Africa, growing in a sandy soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 3,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to fifteen centimetres in height. The flowers are pink with a darker pink centre. The leaves are minutely pilose: Covered in fine soft hairs..

The name Hessea commemorates Christian Heinrich Friedrich Hesse, 1772–1837, a Lutheran minister who came to Cape Town from Hanover and grew succulents in his garden. The species name incana from Latin; 'white-grey' -at present, I fail to figure what part of the plant, as it is not mentioned in the original description by Deidré Anne Snijman. This is a winter-grower, blossoming in the late winter - even in the snow! Collected by Deidré Anne Snijman