Tuesday 21 May
In the News: First crane egg in the western UK in four centuries

What’s the World’s Favourite Species?
Find out here.| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Liliales |
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Genus | Kniphofia (1) |
This large herb was lost to science for over 60 years until it was rediscovered in 1996 (3). The long leaves are arranged in large rosettes, which can be around a metre wide (2). The inflorescence, or flower stem, towers from this base as a conspicuous spike, which can be 2 metres tall when bearing fruit (2). The upper portion of the stalk carries many small, bell-like yellow flowers (2).
TopVery little is known about this perennialherb(2), but it may be that fire is needed to either promote flowering or to appropriately manage the habitat within which it is found; more research is needed on this subject (1). Fruiting occurs in November and flowering may take place in April (2).
TopKniphofia reflexa was 'rediscovered' in 1996 in the Afua swamp in Cameroon but has subsequently disappeared from this site (3). It is presently known from 3 different sites within Cameroon: Kinkolong near the summit of Mount Oku, 'Mbesa Swamp' on the Ijim Ridge and a population within the Mbi Crater (3). In May 2002, between 1 and 3,000 plants were recorded at the Mbi Crater and this is now recognised to be the main stronghold of the species (4).
TopInhabits swamps, marshes and bogs (1); found between 1,750 and 2,900 metres above sea level (2).
TopClassified as Endangered (EN - C1) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1).
TopThe cause of the disappearance of Kniphofia reflexa from the Afua Swamp is unclear but the area has undergone extensive habitat destruction in recent years. This is likely to have played a major part in the disappearance, and represents the biggest threat to the survival of this rare species today (3).
TopKniphofia reflexa is the only member of this genus to be found in central-West Africa, making its conservation particularly important (3). The conservation priorities are annual monitoring of the three known sites to determine the state of the populations, as well as searches for possible new areas (1). Propagation of Kniphofia reflexa from seed, with a view to reintroducing this species to the Afua Swamp, is also a possibility (2).
TopAuthenticated (20/1/03) by Ben Pollard, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
More »Related species
Image credit
© Ben Pollard / Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 332 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 208 332 5197
info@kew.org
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
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