Matucana intertexta

Matucana intertexta in bloom.

Among several other species still blooming in my collection is Matucana intertexta. Matucana's in general seem to be rather uncommon in collections around Ontario and the species intertexta seems to be one of the least common of the genus. It's usually seen in collections as a globular plant but in fact mature plants in habitat are short columnar types. My plant is a mere 8cm tall and 9 cm diameter but according to the literature mature plants are 7 to 18 cm in diameter and up to 36cm tall! They appear to be rather slow growing. The habit is somewhat reminiscent of Uebelmannia's which also become columnar in habitat but are never seen that large in collections.

I just love the unusual curved flower tubes (zygomorphic) of Matucana's. Matucana's in general seem to bloom in waves in my collection. Just when it seems the flowering is over a new crop of buds seems to appear and this process repeats itself through the entire growing season until I finally force them into dormancy by drying them out for the long winter hibernation.