578 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
FLAME FLOWERS 
Natural Order Lintace&. Genus Kniphofia 
KNIPHOFIA (named in honour of Prof. J. H. Kniphof, of Erfurt, 1704- 
1763). <A genus of about eighteen species of tufted hardy perennial 
herbs, better known in gardens under the synonym of Tritoma. 
They have long, slender, grass-like radical leaves in a tuft, from the 
centre of which a tall scape arises bearing an oval spike of drooping 
tubular or bell-shaped flowers. The perianth is six-parted, and from its 
mouth protrude the six stamens and the thread-like style. The three- 
celled capsule opens by three valves. They are all natives of Africa and 
Madagascar. 
Kniphofia aloides, the best known species, was intro- 
duced from the Cape of Good Hope in 1707. It is often 
called in gardens by the name of Red-hot Poker, as wellas Flame Flower. 
_K. pumila was introduced in 1774, K. Burchella in 1816, K. Roopert in 
1854, K. precox and K. caulescens in 1862, K. Macowani in 1874; all 
from South Africa. In 1879 both K. carnosa and K. comosa came from 
Abyssinia, and from the same country, a year later, K. Leichtlini. In 
the year 1887 K. Kirkit was introduced from South-Eastern Tropical 
Africa, and K. pallidiflora from the Ankaratra Mountains of Madagascar. 
During the last twenty years gardeners have raised numerous 
hybrids and seedling varieties, many of which are superior to the 
species. 
History. 
KNIPHOFIA ALOIDES (Aloe-like). Flame Flower. 
Leaves long and slender, keeled and channeled, edges and 
keel finely toothed. Flowers on tall scapes 3 to 4 feet high; coral-red, 
paling as they fade; August and September. Plate 269. There are 
several varieties, 
K. BurcHELLI (Burchell’s). Leaves light green. Flowers scarlet 
and yellow, tipped with green; August and September. Scape spotted 
with black, 14 foot high. 
K. Leicutiinu (Leichtlin’s). Leaves three-sided, 3 of an inch thick 
and 4 feet long, spreading in all directions, Flowers dull pale vermilion 
and yellow; August. 
K. Macowant (M°Owan’s). Leaves almost erect, nearly awl-shaped, 
channeled, and keeled. Flowers bright orange; seapes 1 to 1} foot long; 
August. 
K. Rooprert (Rooper’s). Leaves broad, sword-shaped, strongly 
Principal Species. 
