Clivia robusta
Pronounciation: ro-BUS-ta
Common Name: Swamp Clivia, Swamp Forest Clivia, Robust gardenii
Distribution: Transkei region, South Africa

General

Clivia robusta is unique in that it grows in and around streams, it resembles Clivia gardenii. In nature the plant appears to stand on its roots like the Mangrove tree. It has recently been reclassified as a distinct species on the basis of chromosomes and DNA analysis. Before it was seen as a variant C. gardenii. The flowers resemble those of gardenii, but it grows in streams and marshy areas.

Range and Habitat
It is found in the Transkei, from Port St. Johns, Eastern Cape Province, to the Mzimkulu River, in KwaZulu-Natal. Contrary to other Clivias it prefers to grow in the wet marsh areas and streams.

 

 

 

 

 

Measurements
C. robusta leaves are strap-shaped, 0.3–0.8 m in length and 40–70 mm in width, having blunter more rounded ends, but are still pointed at the tip, while the leaves of gardenii have acutely pointed tips. Blooms from May to July (late Autumn to mid-Winter), the flowers are not as pendulous as caulescens or nobilis, but more curved, they are a dark orange-red colour with redish tips. There are usually about 15 to 40 flowers per umble, the flower scape is 80 cm –1 m long. After pollenation, the green berries are formed later turning red as they ripen (12 to 15 months), each containing one to two seeds.