Hippeastrum Procerum (Worsleya Procera)

By Arthington Worsley from The Gardeners’ Chronicle May 25, 1929

This is the giant of the genus and was introduced by the grandfather of the present M. Binot, about 1863, in which year it was described by Duchartre.

Some years ago I made a journey to Brazil for the express purpose of seeing this plant in its natural habitat, which is restricted to certain cliffs in the Organ mountains. Although this was not an economic way of obtaining knowledge of how plants grow, I shall never regret this journey for it took me through scenes of unrivalled beauty. My friend the late P.M. Binot, who accompanied me on the expeditions in the mountains, and who possessed a unique knowledge of the flora of that part of Brazil, made my stay in these mountains days of fiesta. I collected twenty seven bulbs, some of them up to five feet high, which flourished for several years in my garden, and were a source of great delight to many, especially to the late Mr. William Watson who pressed me to write a monograph on this species. At the time proposals were made by others fro a more extended book on the Amaryllideae, so the monograph was not prepared, and ultimately both projects were abandoned. Growing on ledges, often but a foot wide on the face of cliffs, and with little foothold but the rock, heavy storms often fling hundreds of the great bulbs down the precipices. But they obtain some support from a species of rambling and trailing Pilodendron which intertwines itself among the bulbs and their roots, and forms a kind of rope to hold them in their places.

Hippeastrum procerum cannot be confused with any other member of the genus. Its bulb, foliage, and seeds are idiosyncratic and the colour of its flowers is also distinct. In these respects it hangs on the very edges of the genus – like an appanage which cannot well be placed either in or out of the genus.

From the genetic point of view it should be granted generic rank of its own, for no one has succeeded in crossing it either way with any other species or garden form.*

For a number of years, during which it bloomed regularly in my garden, I used the pollen on the large number of species and garden Hippeastrums which I then cultivated, and also attempted the reverse crosses on every occasion. But never did any fruit form. Not wishing to exhaust the vigour of my bulbs of H. procerum, by raising self pollinated fruits, of H. procerum, I only twice self –pollinated it in order to examine the fruit and seed. On both occasions fertile seeds were produced and seedlings raised. Hence, it is clear that the failure to raise any hybrids or crosses was not due to improper culture or climatic conditions, or to any inherent infertility.

However, H. procerum is not the only Hippeastrum which clings to the rock walls of the Organ Mountains, for I also collected H. corriensis# , and H. organense growin with it; and H. aulicum, H. calyptratum and H. Kromeri grow at a lower level. H. reticulatum is found on the low ground. Yet there is no sign of a natural hybrid growing near H. procerum, or of any other species in any way related to it , or filling the gap between it and the rest of the genus Hippeastrum. But it is a fact that the distinctive Rhododendron like rosy markings on the outside of the flowers can also be traced , obscurely, on

H. corriensis, and also on H. Kromeri . But colour imitation ir similarity is no real guide to genetic affinity.

Among the Hippeastrums of this district which are epiphytal, I noticed H. organense and H. Kromeri on tree stumps above marshy ground. It is probable that other kinds may become epiphytic under such special conditions as exist in this district.

Notes on the Terrain, Climate and Vegetation of the Organ Mountains

The first Portuguese navigators thought that the Bay of Rio was the estuary of a river, hence the name “The River of January.” After passing a mile or two of rich, littoral land, one reaches the mountains, which are clothed with secondary forest, above which great pillars of bare rock rise to about 4,000 feet or more. If there are still left small patches of primeval forest in this range its is only here and there in inaccessible places. When one reaches the rock above the forest lands, one looks down over a maze of countless valleys running in the wildest confusion in almost every direction/ In the bottoms are farms and cultivated lands surrounded by a belt of forest on the steep mountain sides and crowned by vertical pillars of bare rock, the lower lands running away in the distance down to the glittering waters of the Bay. The intricate nature of the rain paralyses the eye. One feels that one would have to remain in the same place for an hour before the eye could have traveled but once over the details of the panorama. From an ecstatic condition one is dragged back by a warming that there will be a thunderstorm about four o’clock. However, somewhat similar scenes recur from practically every prominence. But the traveler regrets that he was not so constructed that he could divide himself into two parts, one of which could just look, and the other part hunt for plants.

Among these outstanding parallel pillars of rock there are five that can be seen from a greater distance away over the Bay; two being higher than the other three. Just before sunrise, when the bay and the lowlands are swathed in a faint mist, the sun suddenly strikes these five highest pillars of rock. By the Jesuit Fathers of those early days the scene was likened to a vast auditorium of worshippers over whom the hand of God was lifted in benediction. May no alleged civilization ever desecrate this shrine!

The character of the rock upon which H. procerum grows resembles a soft, porous granite. It is stated that true granite outcrops in places, but what I saw was all secondary rock, much of which had been metamorphosed, and belonging to the classification of estrato cristalino of Spanish geology. It has just sufficient roughness for roots to cling well even to plain surfaces of it, and would always give up some moisture in all seasons of the year.

The summer climate at the 3,000 feet level is very pleasant and equable, the day maxima being about 80 degrees F and the night minima about 58 degrees F. In winter both are about 15 degrees less, and ground frost take place for an hour or two at sunrise, but are not serious and do not descend below about 2,500 feet level. On the summits of the mountains air frosts are stated to take place occasionally, but plants such as H. procerum, standing close against huge rock walls, would be secured, by the radiation of warmth from the rock, against anything short of a sharp wind frost.

The winter season is dry, and long rainstorms are unusual in summer, but although summer forenoons are typically brilliant, thunderstorms take place about every other evening. These break on the mountains at about 4 pm, but often do not spread to the lowlands, and only last about two hours.

Occasionally there is a great deluge, in which as much rain falls in three days as we get in six months. The air in summer is nearly saturated.

As to the plant life on these mountains. The trees are a special study which I would not attempt. But I gave a list, with notes, of eighty eight species of plants and ferns which I collected when on my visit. These will be found in Journal R.H.S., Vol 23. parts 3 and 4.

As access cannot be obtained through the tangled growths on the mountain sides without cutting a path through the undergrowth, and as this is a slow process liable to take up the entire day, the native seeks to save time and labour by approaching the mountain on its steepest side and cutting the pathway up the steepest incline he can find. It would be base flattery to suggest that this scheme assists the explorer in reaching the summit of his ambitions, for the way is arduous and precipitous beyond measure, Moreover, the Indian native makes his passage high enough and wide enough for himself, but not for any fully-grown person. As a result, one has to crouch down, hands on knees the whole time, and walk sideways as well. The foundation upon which one is supported although it is invisible, is formed of rough boulders of rock with huge crevices and holes between them. On the top of this is a mattress some feet in thickness composed of various aerial roots, vines and trailing plants, the whole of which mattress sinks under foot in a few seconds, so that the art of walking cannot be exercise, but one must jump or run so as not to sink in. The ascent must therefore be made by crawling in monkey fashion, and by clinging on and pulling oneself up by boughs and tree stems. The descent must be made at a run with a few rolls-over as may be found convenient.

The passage through the Bamboo thickets are nearly in darkness in the stifling atmosphere. I would note that , after passing through this forest belt, it was more than an hour before I could hold my hand camera steady enough to take a snap shot.

The methods and objects of cutting pathways are interesting. There are few venomous snakes likely to be met with, but the anaconda is common and grows to a great size. A chance meeting with a sleeping anaconda can end disastrously for the wayfarer, for although not venomous, it has terrible teeth, and can swallow a wild pig. However, it will not attack a man if it is given time to glide away.

The various large rodents, wild pigs etc can only find their way through these tangled mountain sides by following a path that has recently been cut, and these become impassable in a couple of years. Hence, the anaconda curls itself up and lies in wait for its prey on one of these recently cut paths. The natives of these parts know the snake and, when he kills it he does not waste it, but eats it as soon as possible.

In the forest belt, Sanchezia noblis was common both the plain and the variegated leaved forms, several Astromerias, five or six species of Bamboo and several Philodenrons. But the most beautiful individual belonged to the fauna, a small batrachian, perhaps an inch or more in length, brilliant orange all over, and shining like a jewel. Its peculiarity lies in a kind of helmet or shield covering the head.

After several failures, I succeeded in getting live specimens of this frog home to the British Museum of Natural history. There were imperative physical reasons why I should have noticed batrachians rather than the hosts of epiphytic Bromeliads and butterflies which inhabit this forest zone; for I could never, while climbing, afford for one moment to take my eyes off the ground.

Description of H. Procerum, Duchartre

The figures in colours in Flore des Serres, Vol XX, t.2077 and t.2078; Bot Mag; t.5883; and also in The Garden Vol 45, p 350; and in Illus. Hort; Vol XI p408.

Description of Sketches of Fruit, Ovules and Seeds (Figure 189)

A Section through middle of ovaries at time of flowering showing position of ovaries on

placenta (slightly enlarged sketch)

B. Life sized outline of ripe fruit containing forty four to forty five seeds.

C. Life sized outline of seed

D. Life sized outline of seed showing bar like marks on double edge of seed where

contiguous to inner side of fruit husk.

E. Life sized end elevation of seed showing thickness of seed and same bar-like markings.

The first figure (in the references) is very true, but all the figures I have seen portray the bulb in an erect posture which is not the pose which this plant effects in it natural habitat.

Bulb: From two to five feet long, rooting on rock, and taking a stance varying from nearly horizontal to one of about 45 degrees above the horizontal; evergreen, somewhat flexouse and ascending towards the apex; about three and a half inches in diameter at the base.

Leaves: A dozen, distichous, falcate, depending vertically, slightly shorter than its bulb, two inches to two and three eight inches wide, strap shaped, glaucous, dull emerald green, with transparent whitish to pink edges. Narrower leaved forms are on record.

Scape: Central, exceeding the bulb by about 6 inches, much compressed, bearing an umbel (on average) of about four flowers opening in succession.*

Valves: Persistent during flowering, stiffy erect, six inches or less in height by one and a half inches wide.

Pedicels: Shorter than the valves, almost triangular in section.

Ovaries: Small. Tube very short.

Flowers: All pointing in same direction# scentless, mauve to intense bluish –mauve, with a white base. General colouration is like that of Griffinia hyacinthine (which is a common plant lower down the mountains). The segments are most deeply coloured towards their apices. The middle zone is lighter in colour, and is profusely spotted with small, reddish-purple spots and the inner segments are, in this zone curiously veined towards their edges with short, irregular, mauve markings. Exteriorly, the segments are copiously spotted and flushed with whitish and pink marks towards their bases, and keeled with green at their apices. Span four and a half to five inches. Limb six inches.

Segments: The three inner, one and a quarter inches wide, the three other more than one inch, overlapping the inner. In some forms the segments are not so wide.

Stamens: Contiguous, much shorter than the limb.

Pollen: Light yellow

Style: Exceeding the stamens but shorter than the limb.

Stigma: Tri-capitate, ciliate.

Fruit: Dehiscing in five months, and containing forty four or forty five jet black, D shaped seeds. These are much thicker than in other hippeastrums, not at all winged, but very acutely angled, with all edges raised. The edges of seeds touching the outer envelope of the fruit are strangely marked (see figure above) although the envelope itself is smooth. They show about six transverse marks or bars on their double edges.

Gestative Period: About two and a half times as long as is the case in other Hippeastrums.

In the fruits raised at Isleworth a good proportion of the seeds were fertile, and the seedlings grew well for two years but slowly. Their appearance was true to type.

This plant will withstand temperatures down to the freezing point for a short time, but being evergreen, it should not have its growth brought to a complete standstill by cold. It will grow in temperatures between 40 degrees and 55 degrees F, and will expand its flowers fully at day temperatures of about 60 degrees F. In its natural habitat the temperatures of this period vary between 55 and 75 degrees F. The flowering period in the Organ Mountains is January and February (high summer) corresponding to our July and August. March is the close of the flowering period (our September).

Bulbs which I bought to Isleworth flowered with me in March the year after introduction, but three years later they began flowering in August.

The cultivation of Hippeastrum procerum is full of difficulty. To succeed one should construct a house in which an almost saturated atmosphere could be maintained , combined with a briskly moving air. This could only be accomplished by the use of air fans. Winter temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degress F, should be arranged for, and, for summer some 12 degrees higher.

No shading should be allowed excepting about midsummer, when it would sometimes be found necessary to prevent the sun from rushing the temperature above 80 degrees F.

The big bulbs can be supported at an angle of about 45 degrees with the horizonal until they have obtained a firm root hold on rock. With me they did fairly well in nine inch drain pipes filled with rock and charcol and chippings of stone, covered with a little Oak-leaf compost and bits of live moss ( not Spagnum). Owing to the exposure of the roots a constant war must be waged on wood lice. Any bulb planted in earth will certainly die in a year or so.

A Worsley, Isleworth