Plant systematist used to consider agapanthus a extremity of the Alliaceae or genus Allium family line . Now it has been placed in its own kinfolk , aptly named Agapanthaceae . No matter where it jibe in the botanic scheme , agapanthus is an ornamental plant best known for its rounded umbel of spicy , blue - royal or white tubelike efflorescence . Agapanthus is aboriginal to South Africa , though it has become naturalized in parts of California and Florida in the United States , as well the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom and the Lusitanian island of Madeira . The industrial plant has many signification , depending its medicinal , linguistic or decorative heritage .

The Meaning of the Name

The genus name , " Agapanthus " is derived from two Greek words : " agape love . " which means " honey , " and " anthos , " which means " flower " . consume together , the agapanthus is the blossom of love . It is sometimes also known as " African lily " and " lily of the Nile , " tribute to its African line of descent .

Medicinal Meaning

Parts of the agapanthus plant are sometimes used for medicinal purposes . In South Africa and elsewhere , its solution are boiled in water to produce a tonic for pregnant charwoman . The tonic is also used to promote compression during labor . Expectant female parent sometimes wear appeal made from the dry out root to insure salubrious baby . While the agapanthus root in any form may intend " healthy baby , " the sap contains substances that can annoy tegument or mucous tissue layer .

Meaning According to the Language of Flowers

Since ancient time flowers been attribute " underground " substance and used to communicate flavor that could not be expressed more direct . The practice has a long history in China and eventually propagate to the Middle East . The " Language of Flowers " was first introduced to Europe in the early 1700s by Charles II of Sweden , who had been exiled to Turkey for several year , and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu , wife of a British diplomat , who observed the use of flower symbolization while stationed with her husband in Constantinople . One hundred yr afterward , Queen Victoria became enthuse about the Language of Flowers , and the practice session of including specific flowers in bouquet to convey specific meaning caught on throughout the British Empire and the Western world . In the traditional language of flowers , agapanthus meant " love letter . "

Agapanthus in the Garden

To gardeners , the word " agapanthus " signifies a tall , blue - blossom plant life that raise from a heavy rhizome and can get to a height of up to 60 inches . Many varieties sport flower heads that soar high about the shoulder strap - same leaves , which are also somewhat fire - resistant . case-by-case specimens are most effective when massed in a peak borderline or in container . In cold wintertime climate , the containerized specimen must be bring indoors during the former dusk and wintertime months .

Varieties

Breeders have develop many raw agapanthus hybrids over the last 10 to 15 age , grow trait that include larger flower heads , colour variations and increase cold tolerance . The most popular are hybrids of the South African indigen , Agapanthus praecox . As with many other marvelous plant , breeders have also sought to produced dwarf specimens with the same enceinte flowers as marvelous varieties , but shorter stem . Dwarf specimens generally range from nine to 20 inches tall and may have downhearted or clean flowers .

References

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