Common Name:

General Information

Kniphofia linearifolia is a fairly robust, clump-forming perennial plant producing several to many stems, growing up to 1.5 metres tall from a horizontal rhizome. The sword-shaped leaves can be 24 - 160cm long[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is widely planted as an ornamental and cut flower in southern Africa[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

Montane grassland in moist often peaty situations, and in central plateau grasslands in seasonally wet localities at streamsides, vlei and dambo margins, usually forming colonies, at elevations from 700 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Sunbirds, Sugarbirds, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate elevations in the tropics and subtropics, it an be grown outdoors in the milder ateas of the temperate zone.
Succeeds in full sun or in partial shade[]. Prefers a rich, moist soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The powdered root is mixed with food to treat infertility in women[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in a lightly shaded position in a seed tray and keep moist. Germination takes around 6 weeks[]. Seedlings can be potted up into individual containers when large enough to handle and should be ready to plant out in 5 - 6 months time when around 15cm tall[].
Division of large clumps. The younger rhizomes respond well to division, whereas the older ones might struggle a bit, but can establish themselves[].

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