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Kniphofia uvaria (L.) Oken

Red hot poker, torch lily, redhot poker

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyXanthorrhoeaceaeAloes, many tropical plants, flax lilies, daylilies, many others
GenusKniphofiaNamed after Johann Hieronymus Kniphof (1704-1763), a German botanist, professor of medicine and author of a work of botanical illustrations
SpeciesuvariaFrom the Latin uva for a bunch of grapes

About plant names...

This stunning South African native is gradually becoming naturalized in California. They are members of the lily family. The genus Kniphofia is named for a German physician and botanist, Johann Hieronymus Kniphof.

Identification: Plants reach 3-4′ (91-121 cm) in height, and are 2-3′ (60-91 cm) around. (There are many larger and smaller cultivars as well, such as ‘Nancy’s Red’.) Leaves are long and narrow, up to 2′ (60 cm) × 1″ (2.5 cm), like a tuft of large grass. Large oval-shaped flowerheads form on a stalk in the center of each plant. Unbelievably cool flowerheads are composed of hundreds of tubular flowers, red on top, grading through orange to yellow on the bottom. The flowers are favorites of hummingbirds.

Kniphofia uvaria (red hot poker, torch lily, redhot poker)

From Edwards's Botanical Register; Consisting of Coloured Figures of Exotic Plants Cultivated in British Gardens; with their History and Mode of Treatment. London 21: t. 1745, as Tritoma burchellii.

Online References:

Calflora

in Paghat's Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

CalPhotos

 

Kniphofia uvaria description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Kniphofia uvaria (red hot poker, torch lily, redhot poker)

6/1/2009 · Orderville Mine Rock Shop, Orderville, Utah

Kniphofia uvaria (red hot poker, torch lily, redhot poker)

8/27/2007 · Shore Acres State Park, Cape Arago, Ore­gon

Kniphofia uvaria (red hot poker, torch lily, redhot poker)

2/16/2007 · San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego, Cali­fornia

Range: Zones 5-10:

About this map...