old world plants - blooming aloe

... the spectacular February 12th, early spring, bloom of the aloe shown in my January 10th post

night bloomers

first, the sansevieria, on March 4th

. . . . . ...and now echinopsis - the easter lily cactus, April 21st

The genus Sansevieria, a member of the agave family (Agavaceae) contains approximately 60 species indigenous to Africa, Arabia, and India.

Sansevieria, whose common names include: mother-in-law's tongue, devil's tongue, and snake plant, is a genus native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.

In Africa, the leaves are used for fibre production; in some species, e.g. Sansevieria ehrenbergii, the plant's sap has antiseptic qualities, and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional first aid.

old world plants in a new world desert garden

during our cooler months, here in our New World Sonoran desert, we can add other low water use plants from the deserts and arid lands of the Old World.












I have a few aloe species that start to bloom in the Fall. I also have a large aloe specie
that is just now sending up it's inflorescence.









I also have brought a beautiful little bulb into my garden for it's winter bloom - Moraea polystachya. The plant has a nice grassy leaf yet needs to be placed in an area that does not receive too much water because the bulb can become spread rapidly and become invasive - a flower box or smaller area will contain it as well. The seeds disperse but not very far. My bulbs are planted in part shade, rocky sandy soil in areas that get mostly just rain water. I think in rich soil and with water this bulb could be a pest.