The Green-flowered Crinum

Marcelle crossed the mother plant (unnamed, below) with itself and planted out the seeds and waited.  Many of the seedlings were unremarkable, a few produced good-looking white flowers with green keels.   However, a few plants were especially nice and different, in fact the flowers represent a new color for garden Crinum.  Marcelle calls the best one the "green-flowered Crinum." 

The green-flowered Crinum has no name yet, Marcelle has not decided upon a name or even if this generation is garden-worthy; she is still testing for durability in rain and sun, etc.  For now, she tentatively refers to it as 'Emerald', but has not decided it if this is the plant that is worth releasing.  A few more years of breeding, and seedling evaluations, will let her know which plant is the true 'Emerald'. 

Unlike most C. bulbispermum Jumbo-type plants, the Green-White hybrids generally increase easily; therefore distribution may be facilitated.  The best plant (possible 'Emerald') is pictured below.  The flowers are held on scapes of medium height, and hold their color well (not changing on day 2).  The blooms flare nicely giving the flowers a friendly and happy appearance. 

Green-flowered Crinum Mother Plant, Day 1:  The flowers open poorly on the mother plant, and are greenish-tan, or off-white on day 1. 

Green-flowered Crinum Mother Plant, Day 2:    This photo shows flowers from the mother plant, but a day later when two more flowers have opened.  The contract between just opened flowers (off-white) and two-day-old flowers (pinkish) is apparent. 

The green-flowered Crinum :  Though unnamed, it is clear that Marcelle had achieved a color breakthrough with this plant.  The tepals are soft green and the keels are a bit darker.  The flowers tend to be a single, pure shade of green in bright light.  However, in some lights the darker green color of the keels is apparent.  The flowers have no tan, pink, or burgundy hints. 

The Green-flowered Crinum:   This photo shows flowers from the same green-flowered Crinum as above, but 2 days later.  Though it has no name, it is tempting to think of this plant as ‘Emerald’.