An overview of Libertia: This is a distinctive genus, with green-leaved and dramatically coloured-leaved species,but identification is a problem.

摘要

ZIBERTIA are grown for their dense clumps of grass-like, sometimes brightly coloured, foliage and sprays of small white or blue flowers. I lowever, the identities of many are confused in cultivation. The aim of this article is to help sort out the confusion. Although there is a good body of botanical literature on the genus, there have been two recent horticultural developments. Firstly, Gary Dunlop of Baflyrogan Nurseries, Northern Ireland, has grown members of the genus for many years and recentlypublished his insights (Dunlop 2011). Many of his observations have been upheld in the present study. Secondly, Stephen Butler, Curator of Horticulture at Dublin Zoo in the Republic of Ireland, has assembled an impressive collection (Butler 2011) of Libertia that I have been able to study.