Amaryllis
A small genus of South African flowering bulbs with two species.
Amaryllis is a small genus of flowering bulbs in the subtribe Amaryllidinae (tribe Amaryllideae), comprising only two species, both native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. The better-known species, Amaryllis belladonna, is native to the Western Cape region, particularly the rocky southwest area between the Olifants River Valley and Knysna. For many years, confusion among botanists over the generic names Amaryllis and Hippeastrum led to the common name 'amaryllis' being mainly used for cultivars of Hippeastrum, widely sold for winter indoor blooming.
- Genus
- Amaryllis
- Number of species
- 2
- Native region
- Cape Provinces, South Africa
- Type species
- Amaryllis belladonna
- Chromosome number
- 2n = 22
- Common names
- belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo, Easter lily (Southern Australia), March lily (South Africa)
Lore & Background
The taxonomy of Amaryllis has been controversial. In 1753 Carl Linnaeus created the name Amaryllis belladonna as the type species, but both South African and South American plants were initially placed in the same genus. The key question was whether Linnaeus's type was a South African or South American plant; if the latter, Amaryllis would be the correct name for Hippeastrum. based on a specimen of the South African Amaryllis belladonna from the Clifford Herbarium at the Natural History Museum in London. Amaryllis belladonna was introduced into cultivation at the beginning of the eighteenth century. It reproduces slowly by bulb division or seeds and has naturalized in urban and suburban areas of the West Coast of the US and in Australia. A hybrid bred in the 1800s in Australia produced color variations including white, cream, peach, magenta, and nearly red hues, with distinct stripes, veining, and centers. The plant has a symbiotic relationship with carpenter bees, thought to be the main pollinators on the Cape Peninsula, and is also visited by noctuid moths at night.
Reader's Guide
Amaryllis holds significance as a genus that, despite its small size, has been central to a long-standing botanical controversy over nomenclature, resolved only by international congress decision. Its species, particularly Amaryllis belladonna, are widely cultivated and naturalized beyond their native South African range, including in California, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The plant's common names—such as 'naked lady' and 'March lily'—reflect its distinctive growth habit of flowering when foliage has died down. In the Victorian language of flowers, amaryllis means 'love, beauty, and determination' and can also represent hope and achievement. The genus has also produced intergeneric hybrids, such as × Amarcrinum (with Crinum moorei) and × Amarygia (with Brunsvigia josephinae), though these hybrid names are not accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Amaryllis belladonna has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The plant is toxic to humans and domestic animals due to alkaloids, especially lycorine, with the bulbs being the most hazardous part.
Did You Know?
- Amaryllis is the only genus in the subtribe Amaryllidinae (tribe Amaryllideae).
- The common name 'amaryllis' is mainly used for cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum, not Amaryllis.
- The plant's main parasite is the lily borer Brithys crini and/or Diaphone eumela.
- Amaryllis belladonna has been crossed with Crinum moorei to produce a hybrid called × Amarcrinum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amaryllis?
Amaryllis is a small genus of flowering bulbs placed in the subtribe Amaryllidinae (tribe Amaryllideae). It contains only two species, both originating from South Africa's Cape Provinces.
How many species are in the Amaryllis genus?
The genus is limited to just two species. The type species, Amaryllis belladonna, is the more widely recognized of the pair, with a chromosome number of 2n = 22.
Where does Amaryllis naturally grow?
Both species are native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Amaryllis belladonna is especially associated with the rocky southwest stretch between the Olifants River Valley and Knysna in the Western Cape.
Why is the name 'amaryllis' so often attached to Hippeastrum plants?
Long-standing taxonomic confusion between the two genera caused the common name to drift onto Hippeastrum cultivars. As a result, most indoor bulbs marketed as 'amaryllis' for winter blooming are actually Hippeastrum, not true Amaryllis.
What common names does Amaryllis belladonna go by?
It is widely called the belladonna lily, Jersey lily, or naked lady. In Southern Australia it is known as the Easter lily, while South Africans typically refer to it as the March lily.
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