Geophytes
The collection of geophytes from Europe and Anatolia was founded in 1980. The main focus is on cyclamens (Cyclamen), crocuses (Crocus), snowdrops (Galanthus), tulips (Tulipa), but also on Arum (Araceae). The evolution and relationships of the various species are being investigated.
New arum - Arum megobrebi
In 1990, botanists from Bonn found the rhizome of an arum plant in northeastern Turkey. It was planted out in the Botanic Gaerdens in Bonn, where it developed and bloomed. Already at that time it was suspected to be a new species. When botanists from Munich and Tbilisi collected plants in Georgia in 2003, they also found an arum. They gave the arum to the Bonn Botanic Gardens for cultivation. When it bloomed, it became clear that both arum plants were identical.
It was indeed a new species. It was described and it was named Arum megobrebi .
In Georgian Megobrebi means friend. The name is a symbol of the good cooperation between the botanical gardens in Bonn, Munich and Tbilisi.
New Grape Hyacinth - Leopoldia neumannii
Neumann's Grape Hyacinth (Leopoldia neumannii) was named after its discoverer, our collaborator Michael Neumann, who found the plant in Greece.
It is found above 1000 m altitude. It blooms in May and bears fruits in June and July.
Leopoldia neumannii mainly differs from other Leopoldia species by its height of more than 50 cm, and by its strikingly larger inflorescence. Its bulbs are almost twice as large as those of its closest relative Leopoldia comosa and, unlike its relative, it forms numerous bulbs.
Mediterranean meadow saffron
The Mediterranean meadow saffron (Colchicum cupanii) is common in the Mediterranean region. Flowers and leaves develop at the same time, unlike in the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), which blooms without leaves.
Cyclamens
The early spring eastern sowbread (Cyclamen coum) is native to southeastern Europe to northern Iran. It usually blooms at the same time as the snowdrops. The leaves already appear in autumn.
Wild tulip
The wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris) is native to the Mediterranean region. It is the only tulip that has settled permanently in our country. Unfortunately, it is highly endangered and is on the Red List of endangered species.
Crocuses
Crocuses are found in the Near and Middle East, Europe, North Africa and as far as western China. The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), mainly grown in Iran and Afghanistan, provides saffron, one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Snowdrops
The Woronow's snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii) is native to Turkey and the Caucasus. In our country it was naturalized in some regions. In Central Europe, only the common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is native.
Spring snowflake
The spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) grows in moist temperate deciduous and riparian forests in southern and central Europe. Spring snowflakes are strictly protected and are on the Red List of endangered species.