How to identify Bessera (Bessera)

How to identify Bessera (Bessera)

Bessera is characterized by its mostly herbaceous quality and hardy corm understructure. Its foliage presents as slender leaves splaying outwards from the base, hugging the ground. Above, wiry stems give way to distinctive, pendulous flowers reminiscent of fuchsia blossoms. The floral hues contrast vividly against the greenery. Optimally, bessera thrives in well-drained, sandy substrates and requires protection from frost, suggesting an affinity for warm, controlled environments. Plants typically necessitate rearing in portable containers for regions experiencing colder temperatures.

Quickly Identify Bessera

Slender leaves splay from base, resembling grass blades (4-12 inches, 10-30 cm long)

Distinctive pendulous flowers in scarlet fuchsia-like blooms, creamy-white interiors with scarlet veining

Flowers last several weeks, no scent but vivid coloration, blooming in late summer to early fall

Requires well-drained sandy substrate, protection from frost, thrives in warm environments

Best reared in portable containers for cold regions, hardy corm understructure for resilience

Detailed Traits of Bessera

Leaf Features

The leaves of bessera are few, slender, and grass-like in appearance, emerging in the summer before the flowers. They are long and narrow, typically ranging from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) in length and around 0.1 to 0.2 inches (0.3 to 0.5 cm) in width. The leaves exhibit a bright green color, with a smooth texture and parallel venation. Their delicate, ribbon-like quality is distinctive and easily recognizable.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of bessera are striking, each stem producing umbels with up to nine vibrant, scarlet, fuchsia-like blooms. The flowers' petals are creamy-white inside, adorned with scarlet veining, and feature prominent long anthers. Each flower measures approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and can last for several weeks, providing long-lasting beauty. The blooms lack a notable scent but are spectacular in their coloration and structure, blooming primarily during late summer to early fall.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.