Description
Usually this is a smaller variety than type plant (Biarum tenuifolium tenuifolium) with a long, green, hooded spathe which is typically some 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. This is often stained in a warm brown especially towards the basal region. The spadix is about 10 cm, emerging more or less horizontally before flipping upwards in a sort-of hood. This can be a dark brown-black shade but usually, it is a paler, greenish-brown, at least in our stock.
The leaves of both Biarum tenuifolium abbreviatum and the type form, are plain green (without flecking or spotting) usually narrow, with wavy edges, but although this is quoted as a diagnostic difference between this B. t. abbreviatum and B. t. tenuifolium, I have to disagree. As Brian Mathew records (The Smaller Bulbs, 1987) the leaves can be linear, undulate, crisped or even oblong in shape and we have noticed such variation within different stocks and within the one that we grow.
This is an easily grown species for a warm spot with good drainage. It has a good reputation for being one of the hardiest, over many years, but it will also grow in a pot if, like us, you wish to keep it away from the possibility of freezing.
This stock consists of vegetative propagations from plants traceable originally to Greece, Peloponnese, between Diakofto and Kalavrita in the Vouraikos gorge (Achaea province)
