Lycoris aurea or traubii?

Hello everyone...looking for assistance to identify which type these are.

Most of the flowers tilt upwards a little (one or two are somewhat horizontal - perpendicular to the stem) If you look at the scape in the background....
you can see that the flowers are opposing one another, symetrically - 90 degrees to adjacent flowers,...if I understand correctly) which makes me believe these are "traubii". I'm just not experienced enough to be certain of identification. Referencing Scott Ogden's book....I read that "aurea" is a cadmium color - "traubii" is a saffron color.

I'll admit my lack of knowledge about this by saying that ...to me,...it's like comparing the differences between the spoken languages of Kiowa vs Cheyenne....guess I need to go study color shades now,.....'cause the colors of the aurea and the traubii flowers photos in Scott's book are so close...it is of no assistance to me in determining flower identities. I must fall back on Debbie's
descriptions at Solas Gardens....(and Scott's notation too) & hold onto the fact that the flowers oppose each other symetrically and 90 degrees to adjacent flowers....(at first,...I thought the "90 degree" reference applied to the positioning of the flower ...relative to the stem - ie: horizontal to the vertical) I'm just uncertain! Anyone out there who can enlighten an old gardener? Thanks in advance! Lee

Here's a close up of a flower

It's Lycoris aurea; I have both. Yours is really pretty! The blooms on L traubii are definitely held out at a 90 degree angle to the stem. Color is not as indicative as that can vary somewhat with temp's etc. I notice even Tony at Plants Delight has now noted my research on his site. ;)

There is a good pic of L traubii over on my site and in the plantfiles below.; I just changed over to VISTA and would need to get out a CD but can do that if you need additional pics.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/170217/


I have some that seem to be between the two species I'm working on researching right now--not sure what they are. I don't know if you drive around Houston much but late October is when mine bloom. There are a lot of L traubii growing in the memorial area--they've been at those houses for about 40-50 years.

I don't think either one of these is a "superior" species--I have them both (plus 2 others I'm working on identifying) and I wouldn't be without either. Both seem to be equally adapted too the area. L traubii bulbs are much larger and the bloom scape is taller. Its the largest Lycoris bulb I grow and offsets much faster for me. What I think is really cool about them is they do not bloom at the same time here for me. L traubii tends to bloom 2 weeks later and that just prolongs the yellow bloom season to me.
Debbie



This message was edited Jan 1, 2008 4:16 PM

Thanks Debbie...I was hopin' you'd see this thread and comment.

So,...I did understand you correctly the 1st time! It is that they are perpendicular to the stem! Thank you for clarifying that for me!

I'll have to acquire some traubii...in order to have the extended bloom period as you described...how cool! I understand that the same kind of thing can be expected for Lycoris radiata (if you have the triploid - radiata var. radiata...along with the diploid radiata var. pumila) All my
L. radiata are the old Southern triploid - given to me by older friends
from old homestead/homesites.
These L. aurea also are gifts from gardener friends...who no longer are able to garden like they use too...and were delighted to allow me to dig them and continue the tradition...as they see it. A few bloomed this year (transplanted last year).
How fascinating,...that you have some that are "mystery" Lycoris...I hope your research goes well....good luck ! It would be great if you discovered something previously unknown.
Thanks again for your help....I certainly appreciate your clarification for me!

PS: I'll return to Solas Gardens' website and wait for all the pics to load
(I'm on dial up) and review your picture of the traubii

edited to add PS

This message was edited Jan 1, 2008 6:03 PM

I'm quite sure I don't have anything new--I just don't know what it is yet! Sometimes its hard for me see the forest for the trees--LOL

I find L radiata to be the most frustrating of all the Lycoris and have often been tempted to yank them all out and get rid of them. They absolutely hate to be moved here and then bloom--unlike every other variety I have. Most of the others don't mind being transplanted at all. I can handle the fact that not all the Lycoris species are well suited for this part of the country and accept those failures. I just can't handle "persnickety" bulbs when they should not be that way!

I hope to work on the website over the next couple of weeks--I got a really great new computer with the wide high def screen so its hard to work and not watch youtube and play games all the time. By the way, wasn't it fun wrapping the pipes in that cold north wind today? Luckily I got all the plants taken care of yesterday when it was nice, but smooth forgot about the 3 hoses and outside faucets that needed wrapping. 27 degrees expected Thursday morning...that's pretty cold for Houston.

Yes,...and up here it's usually about 4-6 degrees colder. I've prepared
the past couple of days....wrapping everything that needs it and getting my greenhouse heaters set and ready to go.( I still have numerous things blooming in there) We'll just bundle up and wait it out!