Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Torch Lily has several common names- Red Hot Poker, and Tritoma, but its real name is Kniphofia uvaria. It gets it’s name Red Hot Poker from the shape of the blossom, and Torch Lily from the blossom, and the shape of its leaves which are similar to the Lily. They get to be quite tall, and can bloom at different times of the growing season. I made this image in the Spring while out birding.
It’s looks amazing against a green or dark background.
It’s a non-native plant to California. It originated in Cape Provence of South Africa, but it isn’t uncommon here.
When reading about this plant I discovered it’s become invasive in south-eastern Australia and they consider it an environmental weed. I guess it spreads easily damaging native and sensitive ecosystems. It may come to that here too, but it’s pretty, and a show stopper.
Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2015.5
Heads Up– Adobe PS CC had a Bridge, and Adobe Camera Raw Update today. If you have PS CC just open your cloud thingy and Bob’s your Uncle! I will say since moving to the subscription service Updates are easy.
More to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Very pretty. Does it attract hummingbirds?
I don’t know if it does, but it looks like a succulent which they like. 🙂
This is absolute gorgeous!!
It’s like candy corn on a stalk!
Thank you so much Cheryl! What a great thought that is! ♥
😀
I have this in my garden too. Sorry I’m a bit behind in the blogosphere as I pack, pack, pack etc etc
How wonderful you have this plant! Are you going to be able to take some of it with you to the new house?
Hope the packing is going well. I don’t envy you that!
hope so! packing is grueling!
Wow it is gorgeous!
Thank you so much Lynn!
What a pretty weed! amazing
Isn’t it! 🙂 Thanks Lynn!
yes for sure
Just gorgeous Deborah!
Great photo, Deborah. I was looking at a poster of Invasive Plants in CT. Sheesh, there are 60 of them, and some are quite beautiful. I’m glad you captured this one before someone was asking you to dig it up and destroy it.
Thank you Dan! I was thinking the same thing about having the image.
There are 1800 non-native plants in California, and 200 of them are rated HIGH for negative impact on the environment.
I didn’t find this plant on any readily available list so it must not be found often in the wetlands, or refuges, wildlands etc.
I’m guessing it’s mostly in cultivated gardens right now.
Quite of few of the flowers, and plants that are non-native are beautiful aren’t they.
A surprise to me while looking over the list is one of my all time favorites in the wild is Thistle. Several types are on the list as Moderate to High.
The beautiful tall yellow Fennel bushes we see all over CA are rated HIGH as well.
In many places along the coast the CCC planted an ice plant that was non-native back in the day to prevent erosion of the cliffs. They were invasive, and destroyed the native plants and flowers, so today the ice plants are being dug up at considerable cost, and time in order to rehabilitate the cliffs with native plants.
It’s been educational looking up this flower!
I remember reading that, in Pittsburgh, the trees on Mt Washington died from the smoke from the steel mills. They planted trees that could live in that environment. I wonder if they will ever try to reintroduce the native trees? I love learning about stuff like this. Thanks for the additional info.
I’ve spent so much of my adult life helping to fight invasive non-native plants. I’m really excited to ready your thoughts, and see that there are others out there who are aware of the problem.
🙂 I’ve been more mindful of the plants I put in my yard too. Native, drought tolerant, don’t get too big flowers, bushes, and trees are what I’m after these days.