Nerine humilis Herb.

Nowhere is there any sign of pubescence, nowhere is there any sign of an appendix at the base of the filaments, the leaves are linear. Varies throughout its range. At the western end it is a relatively small Nerine with a stem generally under 30 cm or occasionally a little more. The stem is round or nearly so. The leaves, which are generally present at the time of flowering, are not wide, generally under 1-2 cm, and of the order of 15 to 23 or 25 cm in length. The top is blunt and the colour much less bright green than in some species and is variable from darkish dull green through to a distinctly glaucous shade. The number of pedicels is limited and is generally less than 7 but in very favourable areas forms with up to 12 have been found. The segments vary in colour from red to pale pink and, in some areas almost white, but always with a darker central keel. An important diagnostic character is the relative absence of any crisping in the basal half of the segments. In general the segments are about 4 mm wide and up to about 3-2 cm long. N. tulbaghensis [as 'N. humilis tulbaghensis'] is simply a small form with narrow leaves (2 mm up to 5 mm in the same area) and a stem that is only 10 to 12 cm long. This Nerine was found at Tulbagh Kloof. I suspect that bulbs from this area grown under better conditions would produce more typical flowers. N. breachiae [as 'N. humilis breachiae'] was separated on the grounds of its prostrate leaves. In three immediately adjacent sites, one among rocks under trees, one in a well-kept garden and a third in thin soil over rock, only the latter showed the prostrate character. Bulbs from the 'prostrate' site now growing in my collection, have produced leaves that are not prostrate and are typical of N. humilis. The Bredasdorp area is relatively flat and has nothing like the rainfall of the great ranges of mountains to the north. It is within 25 miles of Agulhas the most southern point in Africa and quite clearly this form has developed the prostrate leaf posture to cope with lack of moisture, in exactly the same way that the otherwise very different members of the N. laticoma group do. Bulbs of N. peersii [as 'N. humilis peersii'] towards the eastern end of the Groot-Swartberg, growing in fertile soil at the foot of cliffs, are producing flowers with segments that are longer, 5 to 6-5 cm, and more like those of N. flexuosa. They also had a larger head with up to 12 pedicels. The interesting point is that within a few yards it is possible to find flowers that are typical N. humilis and a detailed search quickly revealed almost every stage between the typical species and the plant called peersii. The leaves are typical N. humilis.

Can be grown by divisions or seedlings.