Scientific Name:
Kniphofia uvaria
(incl. hybrid cvs.)
Pronunciation:
nip-HOE-fee-uh you-vuh-AIR-ee-uh
Common Name:
red hot poker
Family Name:
Asphodelaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves to 1m, sword-shaped, tough and leathery with a sharp margin; racemes bottle brush-like, florets tubular with 6 red-orange and yellow tepals (like a 'rocket' popsicle).
Habit:
Arching, Spreading, Stiffly upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Attract beneficial insects, Container planting, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Specimen plant, Spring interest, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Hybrids shown or on campus may include K. 'Ice Queen' and K. 'Ember Glow'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Bluish, Green
Shapes:
Linear, Other
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent
Margins:
Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Orange, Yellow, Red (red in bud then orange then fading to yellow)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
6 tepals
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Fleshy monocot roots, Rhizomes, fleshy storage roots
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed : Ember Glow
- (CGW) Community Garden West
- (PDW) PonD West