Bomarea sanguinea

[Darold Petty]

This is an uncommon genus that deserves wider use.  It is related to Alstroemeria. It is a vining plant that depends on other plants for support and climbs by twining around the branches of the support plant.  The food storage tubers are subterranean and are Not amenable to root disturbance or relocation.  The vines are quite succulent while growing and are easily broken, although they do become more fibrous and tough with age.  After the adult vine reaches its full length it will produce a terminal inflorescence of tubular, hummingbird pollinated flowers.  Although the vines are frost tender, the storage tubers are  protected and should be solid for USDA zone 9.  This plant does not require any additional space in one's garden. Mine climb through a Howea and a Rhododendron. There are many species, this one I collected on the Machu Picchu trail near the site.  Seeds are occasionally offered over the internet.  The dead, dried up vines are unsightly, so I usually groom them out once per year in the autumn.  B, sanguinea always shows these red flowers, while B. multiflora can show a range of flower colors, including some beautiful, golden yellows.

  A friend here in San Francisco grows an unidentified species we call 'Big Red'.  That taxon produces umbels twice the size of B. sanguinea, but sorry, I don't have a photo !   

[Palm crazy]

WOW looks awesome! I've always wanted to grow one but not sure if a good fit for my climate. Yours looks great with A.'victor reiter' in the background, thanks for sharing.  

[Josue Diaz]

Darold, would you believe the SFBG was selling a 1-gallon passiflora membranacea labeled "bomarea Big Red"? I saw the label first, and jumped to pick it up only to realize the foliage was most definitely not typical of alstromerieae. They must propagate it though, hopefully I'll get my hands on one at some point. 

[Howeadypsis]

Not heard of this genus, it looks fabulous

[Darold Petty]

Sharp eye, Palm Crazy, for the correct ID of my Abutilon !    

[Darold Petty]

Ha-Ha, bump my own thread !  Here is B. multiflora, just 3 years from RPS seed, ground planted 1 year ago.  This plant has  currently 3 inflorescences and seems more floriferous than B. sanguinea.

[Tracy]

20 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

Here is B. multiflora, just 3 years from RPS seed, ground planted 1 year ago.  This plant has  currently 3 inflorescences and seems more floriferous than B. sanguinea.

Very nice flowers on this one Darold.  Can you share some additional photos of the foliage as well?  I'm almost as interested in the leaves and overall growth habit of vine plants as the flower since we live with both and normally the non-flowering portion longer.

[Darold Petty]

super busy the rest of today, will try tomorrow, plus my pulvinus image !    

[Darold Petty]

CORRECTION;  My Bomarea multiflora is four years from seed, and two years in the ground.

The foliage is about 1.25 x 4.0 inches (3x10cm) 

One should plant the vine in an unobtrusive site, as the mass of green and dead vines have a messy  appearnace.  This can be in a dark corner, as the vines will seek light.  The mature vines capable of producing a terminal inflorescence will be about 0.25 inches diameter and 8-10 feet long. (6cm x 2.7m)

The seeds are the size of a peppercorn,  They germinate about 4 months after sowing.  The potted image is a seedling from a Bomarea with clear, golden yellow flowers.  This plant is 14 months from sowing.  It is necessary to use a tiny trellis to support the small, juvenile vines.  I just wind the vines back and forth on the support.  As the plant grows larger and stronger the vines will increase in diameter.   After about 1 year in in this '1-gallon'  I will plant it in the garden.

  The last image is the second, current flower on my B. multilora.  This one is less orange and a bit more red.  

Tomorrow I will post a photo of 'great expectations'.   

[Darold Petty]

Here are developing fruits of B. sanguinea.  When they mature the fruits will split open,  revealing the seeds.  All but two of the flowers were pollinated by my diligent, resident hummingbird. 

This bird, even by bird standards, is a miracle of nature.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna's_hummingbird