The MGS Forum

Plants for mediterranean gardens => Bulbs (including other geophytes with corms, tubers, rhizomes etc) => Topic started by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 11:33:02 AM

Title: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 11:33:02 AM

After strong two rain storms in the north of the country, countless autumnal bulbs are in bloom.
We were lucky to see in one day : 4 different Corcuses, 3 Colchicums, 2 Sterngergias, 1 Biarum and 1 Cyclamen.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 11:38:17 AM

Slopes are Mt Hermon are full of Crocus hermoneus, Crocus pallasii and Colchicum antilibanoticum.
In the wet Man Valley we found Colchicum szovitsii and Crocus ochroleucus.
In addition we enjoyed beautiful autumn foliage and ate Sinai hawthorn red fruits as well as Spiny Hawthorn (tastied) yellow fruits.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 11:42:43 AM

In the Golan Heights the narrow endemic Biarum auraniticum was found in a new site. Coclhicum feinbruniae (tesselated) and Sternbergia clusiana clumps are still in bloom in the shade of trees. Nice bony Syrian pears drop on the ground , "waiting" for an extinct animal (Syrian bear) to disperse them.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 11:45:10 AM

In the Eastern Galilee (Cahal) we found - autumnal leafless Cyclamen persicum and the tiny Sternbergia colchiciflora. Mt Tabor oak acorns are just ripe, either fall under the trees or dispersed by jays and rodents.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: JTh on November 12, 2011, 12:38:05 PM

I am so envious, I wish I was there. Your photos are wonderful.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: Michel GAUTIER on November 12, 2011, 01:46:16 PM

Thank you for these magnificent images. I was not a big fan of bulbs before, but I am going to look at them with much more interest in the future ..

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: MikeHardman on November 12, 2011, 01:46:50 PM

Very nice, Ori

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: Alisdair on November 12, 2011, 03:37:38 PM

Terrific pictures, Ori, and of such prized rarities; thanks so much.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: John on November 12, 2011, 05:26:51 PM

I have grown Sternbergia colchiciflora now for two years and it hasn't flowered. It has however set seed! I assume that it produced fruits underground without actually flowering. The only explanation! Any observations?

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: fragman on November 12, 2011, 07:13:02 PM

Thanks all !
I forgot to upload the picture of Biarum auraniticum, and done that now here (http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=539.msg3225#msg3225).
John, Sternbergia colchiciflora indeed doesn't flower every year, some plants are just not flowering and will do so as soon as their bulb  is large enough, other will bloom underground and self-pollinate. Fruits will develop only in wet seasons. Another option is that your plants are in a too shaded situation.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: John on November 12, 2011, 10:59:43 PM

Wondered whether that might be the case. Not much hope in our climate really.

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: HansA on November 12, 2011, 11:14:06 PM

Great pictures, Ori! Thanks a lot for sharing them!

Title: Re: Autumn Blooming in N Israel
Post by: Bulbissime on November 15, 2011, 06:55:40 PM

As always, nice pics and species ori.
This year, Sternbergia colchiciflora didn't bloom here, and it usually never open like yours.
But my favorite one is Biarum auraniticum that I missed again this year both in israel and Syria...