Canarina CANARIENSIS

Canarina CANARIENSIS - Canary bellflower, Canarina canariensis, Canary Island bellflower.

The genus Canarina is represented by 3 species, one of which, C. canariensis, is found in nature only in the Canary Islands, while the other two - C. abyssinica and C. eminii - grow in tropical East Africa. Thus, the range of the genus consists of two parts separated from each other by a distance of several thousand kilometers.

Canarina canariensis is a perennial glabrous herbaceous plant with long creeping or climbing shoots containing milky sap, and a thickened fleshy root. The leaves are opposite (the lower ones whorled), petiolate, the leaf blade 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long, from narrowly triangular-ovate to spear-shaped, usually with a cordate base, irregularly incised-dentate along the margin. The upper side of the leaves is dark green, the lower side grayish-green with a glaucous coating and often reddish veins. The flowers are nodding, bell-shaped, 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) long, on long pedicels, arranged solitarily in the axils of upper leaves, their color varying from brick-orange to reddish-brown, with dark veins. The calyx is 6-merous, persistent in fruit. The corolla limb is 6-lobed. Flowering continues from October to April. The fruits are fleshy capsules 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) long, edible, yellow-orange in color when ripe. Passerine birds participate in the pollination of Canarina flowers.

Canarina canariensis is an endemic of the Canary Islands, where it occurs on most of the Canary Islands, with the exception of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. It grows in the understory of broadleaf forests, in moist shaded areas, ascending to an altitude of 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level.

In May, June, or July, sow seeds of Canarina canariensis one by one to a depth of 3 mm (0.12 in) in small flower pots 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter. Use permeable, loamy soil for seed sowing. If you sow seeds before May, there will be a greater chance that the plant will flower in the same year. Water the Canarina from below, make sure excess moisture drains from the pot, and provide the plant with a temperature of 15 °C (59 °F) at night and 25 °C (77 °F) during the day. Thanks to such a large temperature difference, Canarina seeds will germinate faster, although a similar effect can be achieved if the temperature is 22 °C (72 °F) around the clock. Place the flower pots in a greenhouse or cover them with film with ventilation holes. Water from below. Seeds germinate in 30-180 days. After seed germination, lower the temperature slightly. Seedlings grow slowly at first, but later a pair of sturdy leaves develops quickly. When the plant's roots fill the pot entirely, repot.