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Kniphofia uvaria

Common name:	Red Hot Poker	Family:	Asphodelaceae
Author:	(L.)Hook.	Botanical references:	73, 200
Synonyms:	Kniphofia aloides (Moench.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	S. Africa.
Habitat:	Damp slopes and marshy ground[73]
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Aletris sarmentosa[G] Aloe uvaria[G] K. alooides[G] Knipofia aloides[] Tritoma uvaria[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Red Hot Poker [E], Red-hot-poker [B], Redhot Poker [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	uvaria = grape cluster like varia = variegated
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Us(Ca)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen perennial growing to 2m by 1m . It is hardy to zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a light sandy soil with plenty of moisture in spring and summer[1]. Prefers a sunny position[111]. Succeeds in maritime exposure[166, 200].
Not fully hardy in colder winters, it is best to give the plant some protection in the winter[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].
Commonly grown in the flower garden[1], it is a good plant for attracting butterflies and moths[30].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[111]. The seed usually germinates in 2 months at 15° c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring as new growth commences. Do not allow the plants to become dry either before or after planting[1, 111]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Kniphofia aloides (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[30] Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982 ISBN 0-330-26642-x
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.

[73] Adamson. and Salter. Flora of the Cape Peninsula.
A good flora but rather short on details of habitat. Not for the casual reader.

[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[166] Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Kniphofia+uvaria
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