Cyrtanthus

A fascinating genus of about 60 species, most of which are endemic to South Africa,  also known as the ’ifafa lily’ or ‘fire lily’. The summer rainfall species are best grown in pots as they are unable to withstand water during the winter dormant period. They require a well-drained, slightly acid mixture of river sand and decomposed bark  with a layer of compost in the bottom of the pot. Water at well-spaced intervals and allow medium to dry out between watering. The evergreen species prefer a compost rich soil and are generally easier to grow than the deciduous species.

Name	Cyrtanthus brachycyphus
Common name	Dobo lily
African name	unoimpingi (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	25cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	September
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus braciyosphon
Common name	Ifafa lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus breviflorus
Common name	Yellow fire lily
African name	uvelabahleke (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses	The bulb is edible. It is used  traditionally to  treat intestinal worms, and as protective and love charms.

Name	Cyrtanthus clavatus
Common name
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	fs
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus contractus
Common name	Fire lily
African name	impingizana (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	45cm
Light requirements	fs
Flowers	October
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus elatus 'pink'
Common name	George lily
African name
D/E	evergreen
Rainfall	winter
Height	40cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus elatus 'red'
Common name	George lily
African name
D/E	evergreen
Rainfall	winter
Height	40cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus eppiphyticus
Common name	Tree lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	40cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus erubescens
Common name	Blushing cobra lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	80cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	October
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus falcatus
Common name	Drakensburg fire lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	50cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	October
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus flanaganii
Common name	Yellow dobo lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	40cm
Light requirements	fs
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus helictus
Common name	Pig Tail cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	25cm
Light requirements	fs
Flowers	October
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus huttonii
Common name	Cliff cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	70cm
Light requirements	ss
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus loddigesianus
Common name	Coastal fire lily
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus mackenii peach
Common name	Ifafa lily
African name	empingizana (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	June
Medicinal uses	Used traditionally as a protective charm

Name	Cytanthus mackenii pink
Common name	Ifafa lily
African name	empingizana (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	June
Medicinal uses	Used traditionally as a protective charm

Name	Cyrtanthus mackenii red
Common name	Ifafa lily
African name	empingizana (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	May
Medicinal uses	Used traditionally as a protective charm

Name	Cyrtanthus mackenii sp. Cooperii
Common name	Ifafa lily
African name	empingizana (z)
D/E	deciduoud
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	August
Medicinal uses	Used traditionally as a protective charm

Name	Cyrtanthus montanus X
Common name
African name
D/E	evergreen
Rainfall	winter
Height	40cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus obliquus
Common name	Giant cyrtanthus
African name	umathunga (x)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	60cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	December
Medicinal uses	Traditionally used to treat coughs and               headaches.

Name	Cyrtanthus obliquus X elatus X falcatus
Common name
African name
D/E	evergreen
Rainfall	summer
Height	40cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	June
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus parviflorus
Common name	Green Hills Cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	evergreen
Rainfall	summer
Height	40cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	June
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus sanguineus
Common name	Kei lily
African name	esimhlope (x)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	semi-shade
Flowers	March
Medicinal uses	Traditionally used to ensure easy childbirth

Name	Cyrtanthus smithiae
Common name	Corkscrew cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus speciosus
Common name	Coastal cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus spiralis
Common name	Spiral leaf cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	35cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	February
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus suaveolens
Common name	Amatola cyrtanthus
African name
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	30cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	November
Medicinal uses

Name	Cyrtanthus tuckii sp. Viridiloba
Common name	Green-tipped fire lily
African name	isiwesa (z)
D/E	deciduous
Rainfall	summer
Height	40cm
Light requirements	full sun
Flowers	October
Medicinal uses