-
This sub-endemic species grows along the Rift Valley and adjascent areas. Its amazing how it migrated along the Rift Valley noerthwards to Lake of Galilee (where this picture was taken). The Genus Androcymbium is mainly African. It is closely related to Colchicum, belonging to the same family - Colchicaceae. Both genera are characterized by 6 distinct nectaries at anthers bases.
I
-
Its amazing to see how small bulbs are hidden on rock cracks, nobody can dig them out.
-
Androcymbium palaestinum is a common winter flower of the eastern parts of Israel.
-
Androcymbium palaestinum is a plant with a corm from which a rosette of leaves develops. The flowers sit very close together in between the leaves, giving the appearance of a specially-arranged bouquet between the rocks. The flower, which measures around 3cm across, resembles that of the autumn crocus (Colchicum). Both have six, separate nectaries. On account of this and other common characteristics, some of them genetic, both have been taken out of the Lily family (Liliaceae) and put into their own family, Colchicaceae. Androcymbium palaestinum belongs to an African genus and is one of only a few species to have made it across the Sahara Desert into our region. It migrated in Israel area up the Jordan Valley, from the Arava in the south to the Sea of Galilee in the north. In the Arava, it is one of the only bulbous plants, and it flowers only once every few years, when there has been sufficient rain.
-
Androcymbium palaestinum is a plant with a corm from which a rosette of leaves develops. The flowers sit very close together in between the leaves, giving the appearance of a specially-arranged bouquet between the rocks. The flower, which measures around 3cm across, resembles that of the autumn crocus (Colchicum). Both have six, separate nectaries. On account of this and other common characteristics, some of them genetic, both have been taken out of the Lily family (Liliaceae) and put into their own family, Colchicaceae. Androcymbium palaestinum belongs to an African genus and is one of only a few species to have made it across the Sahara Desert into our region. It migrated in Israel area up the Jordan Valley, from the Arava in the south to the Sea of Galilee in the north. In the Arava, it is one of the only bulbous plants, and it flowers only once every few years, when there has been sufficient rain.
-
Many bulbs are predated by porcupines and other animals, often they survive pressed in rocks where thay cannot be digged out.
This sub-endemic species grows along the Rift Valley and adjascent areas. It is usually found dense between rocks or stones. The Genus Androcymbium is mainly African. It is closely related to Colchicum, belonging to the same family Colchicaceae. Both genera are characterized by 6 distinct nectaries at anthers bases.
-
Androcymbium vanjaarsveldii is a special bulb from Richtersveld, South africa. It is named after Ernst Van Jaarsveld, a notable botanist from Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, Capetown.
-
Its winter, we had some rains in the desert and the soil is wet. The only flower around is this colchicum. If more rains will come we will have a spectacular blooming there.
-
another view at this rare and cute desert flower.
-
Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species.
-
Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species. This pic was much too bright, raw corrected in Capture NX2.
-
Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species.
-
This is a tiny bulb growing in Mt hermon and the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It blooms in October before the snow fall. this one was found on a dry stony slopes at 1450 m. but it grows till 2200 m.
-
Colchicum antilibanoticum is a small charming bulb, growing in Mt Hermon, I will post a picture of the whole plant soon.
-
Colchicum antilibanoticum is very common in Mt Hermon, one has to be careful not to step on it or on crocuses.
-
This is the same clump taken with flash from the other side.
-
This is a small autumnal bulb of the Hermon and Anti-Lebanon Mts. The yellow area includes the nectaries seen from outside.
-
A small autumnal cormous plant. Flowers white, bloom without leaves. Perianth segments elongate, anthers black, pollen yellow. Leaves hairless. Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species.
-
A small autumnal cormous plant. Flowers white, bloom without leaves. Perianth segments elongate, anthers black, pollen yellow. Leaves hairless. Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species.
-
A small autumnal cormous plant. Flowers white, bloom without leaves. Perianth segments elongate, anthers black, pollen yellow. Leaves hairless. Colchicum antilibanoticum is a shy and beautiful plant blooming in October to early November in Mt Hermon and in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. It occurs together with 3 species of Crocus. The flowers appear normally without leaves, which appear much later after snow melts in April. In Israel it is a protected species.
-
Another Middle Eastern autumn flower.
-
another pic of this wonderful autumn flower.
-
another capture vof the same flowers, this time with flash, which one do you prefer ??
-
It was the end of blooming for Colchicum feinbruniae, but under the trees there were still nice clumps. This tree was a Syrian pear, and bony pears were scattered around the flowers. These fruits are ripening on the ground and are dispersed later by boars and bears (bears are extinct in the region). The yellow flower on top of the picture is Sternbergia clusiana, that bloomed as well. So it was a magical moment with many flowers and fruits...