KNIPHOFIA or RED HOT POKERS

Pronounced ni-FOH-feea, or k-nip-HOF-ia Johannes Hieronymus Kniphof, 1704-1763, who was a professor of medicine at Erfurt University in Germany. Commonly called red-hot pokers, in reference to their upright silhouette and reddish colouring, which gets more intense towards the tip. Red hot poker is certainly easier to say. Red-hot pokers are grown in temperate conditions around the world. Ranging in colour from reds, oranges through yellow to lime green and cream, numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed from species originating in South Africa.

Kniphofia belongs to the family Asphodelaceae which comprises 17 genera (10 of which occur in South Africa) and about 750 species. About 70 species of Kniphofia occur in Africa and 47 of these are found in the eastern areas of South Africa.The genus Kniphofia is very closely related to the genus Aloe. As a result, the first Kniphofia to be described, namely K. uvaria, was mistakenly thought to be an Aloe and was thus initially named Aloe uvaria.

Most species of Kniphofia are evergreen while a few are deciduous and sprout again in the early summer. They bear dense, erect spikes (elongated inflorescence with stalkless flowers) above the level of the leaves in either winter or summer depending on the species.The small, tubular flowers are produced in shades of red, orange, yellow and cream.

The long stems can sometimes bend in transit which produces interesting curves and shapes for arranging. They will last a week or two in water. The lower flowers can be snipped off as they die.

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