Agapanthus

A genus of the Liliaceae family (APG classification: Amaryllidaceae), it is a perennial plant with four species distributed in Africa. Among them, the one that is widely cultivated in gardens, flower beds, and for cut flowers is A. africanus (L.) Hoffmanns., native to South Africa, also known as the African lily. This species has many thick, fleshy roots that grow densely from the base of the stem, and the leaves are long, basal leaves that are 3 to 4 centimeters wide and 40 to 50 centimeters long. Around July, it grows a 0.7 to 1 meter flower stalk, and at the tip of the stalk, 20 to 30 lily-like flowers are scattered, and some bloom in double blossoms. The flower color is blue, white, purple, etc. Although it is somewhat sensitive to the cold, the root stalk can overwinter outdoors in the Tokyo area. It is a hardy perennial plant that prefers sunny areas; it can be divided into separate plants around April and left in the flower bed for 3 to 4 years without replanting.

[Keiji Kanda January 21, 2019]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ユリ科（APG分類：ヒガンバナ科）の1属名で、アフリカに4種分布する多年草。そのうちで庭園や花壇、切り花用として広く栽培されているのは、南アフリカ原産のムラサキクンシランA. africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.で、これは別名アフリカンリリーafrican lilyという。本種は茎元より太い多肉質の根が多数密生し、葉は細長い根出葉で幅3～4センチメートル、長さ40～50センチメートル。7月ごろ0.7～1メートルの花茎を伸ばし、先端にユリ状の花を20～30個、散形状につけ、八重(やえ)咲きもある。花色は青のほかに白、紫などがある。寒さにはやや弱いが、東京付近では根株は戸外で越冬する。日当りを好むじょうぶな宿根草で、4月ごろ株分けし、そのまま植えかえずに3～4年は花壇に据え置いてもよい。

［神田敬二　2019年1月21日］

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