Urophysa Rockii

Description

Urophysa Rockii is a unique and rare plant species that belongs to the family Colchicaceae. It is native to China and is named after Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American botanist who introduced this plant to the western world in the 1920s. Urophysa Rockii is also known by its common name “Chinese colchicum” due to its resemblance to the colchicum genus.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Liliopsida
Order	Liliales
Family	Colchicaceae
Genus	Urophysa

Appearance

Urophysa Rockii is a perennial plant with a corm that grows up to 10 cm in diameter. It has basal leaves that are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate in shape and are up to 30 cm long and 5 cm wide. The leaves are green with a whitish midvein and have a slightly wavy margin. The flowers of Urophysa Rockii are pink in color and are borne on a scape that is up to 20 cm tall. The flowers are bell-shaped and have six petals that are united at the base. The fruit of Urophysa Rockii is a capsule that contains several seeds.

Care Guide

Urophysa Rockii requires well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. This plant requires regular watering during its growing season, but care must be taken not to overwater as it can lead to root rot. It is recommended to fertilize Urophysa Rockii with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. This plant requires full sun to partial shade and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10°C.

Common Pests & Diseases

Urophysa Rockii is susceptible to various pests and diseases. The common pests that infest this plant are spider mites, thrips, and aphids. The common diseases that affect Urophysa Rockii are fungal diseases such as root rot, gray mold, and powdery mildew. It is important to regularly inspect this plant for any signs of pests or diseases and to take appropriate measures to control them.

Habitat

Urophysa Rockii is native to China and is found in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. It grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,500 meters above sea level. This plant is adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of its natural habitat and can withstand extreme cold and dryness.

Question and Answer

Q: Is Urophysa Rockii a rare plant?
A: Yes, Urophysa Rockii is a rare plant species that is found only in China.

Q: What is the common name of Urophysa Rockii?
A: The common name of Urophysa Rockii is “Chinese colchicum.”

Q: What is the ideal soil pH for Urophysa Rockii?
A: The ideal soil pH for Urophysa Rockii is between 5.5 to 6.5, slightly acidic.

Q: What are the common pests that infest Urophysa Rockii?
A: The common pests that infest Urophysa Rockii are spider mites, thrips, and aphids.

Related Plants

• Colchicum autumnale
• Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
• Crocus vernus
• Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum)

References

• Govaerts, R. (2018). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Urophysa rockii.
• Lu, S. G., & Qian, H. (2016). A new species of Urophysa (Colchicaceae) from China. Phytotaxa, 244(1), 95-98.
• Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (Eds.). (2014). Flora of China. Science Press.