The old names as mentioned in the the Binomials Listing (1998) have been dealt with as follows.
kirchoffiana = ssp. canaliculata
litoralis = doubtful
micrantha = ssp. bicolor
pitcairniifolia = not used because ill defined
The articles tell us that the natural range of ssp. bicolor overlaps that of ssp. canaliculata but extends further north into areas with Mediterranean type climate. However, it does appear that the most southerly found appears to be ssp. canaliculata. The ssp. bicolor is principally saxicolous, occurring in rocky habitats near the coast. The ssp. canaliculata seems to prefer the temperate forest area and usually grows as an epiphyte.
Certainly from first glances at the two sub-species being grown by Len Harrison of Pawlett Plants, Somerset, England, http://www.pawlett.com I felt that the leaves of ssp. canaliculata were greyer and thus had more dense trichomes on the leaves. This factor is not mentioned in the description.
To make things easy for us who try to identify plants in our collections it is now a monotypic species with Fascicularia bicolor being the sole representative. Oft was the time when I was measuring bracts, sepals, & petals to ascertain which species I was looking at in the common garden rockery plant grown in Tasmania, Melbourne and some parts of Adelaide but rarer further north. It clearly does not like warm winters! BUT I could never make a final judgement. Mind you there was a non-flowering plant that looked very similar that just had to be Greigia sphacelata even after I was aware of its odd flowering habit! For those not aware the inflorescence is at ground level on the outside of the leaf rosette and not in the middle with lots of colour as one might expect! BUT then again, because I was not looking for channeled or non-channeled leaves it is of course possible the plant may have been a non-flowering Fascicularia bicolor ssp. canaliculata!! After 15 non-productive years I donated the plant to the local Botanic Gardens and it has not performed for them either!
So now we have only two subspecies to look for and these can be recognised in their vegetative state. I now know that my plant is Fascicularia bicolor ssp. bicolor because its leaf-blades have a flat top surface and feel succulent. The other subspecies is canaliculata which as the name implies has channelled non-succulent leaf blades. The following drawing should help you as too should the photos taken by Len.
) Fascicularia drawing |
) ssp. bicolor and ssp. canaliculata |
) Fascicularia bicolor ssp. bicolor |
) Fascicularia bicolor ssp. bicolor |
) Fascicularia bicolor ssp. canaliculata |
) Fascicularia bicolor ssp. canaliculata |
) cross-section of leaves |
) base of leaves |
) half-way along leaf |
So if anyone has a Fascicularia by any species name would they please check its leaves. I wonder how many will change the names on their labels. Any information regarding the successful growing of these plants in more warmer climes would be appreciated."