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Amaryllis

Phonetic Spelling
am-ah-RIL-lis
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Amaryllis is a genus with two species in the Amaryllidaceae family, Amaryllis belladonna and Amaryllis paradisicola. Amaryllis is native to South Africa and typically blossoms around March.

Amaryllis bulbs are large, 2 to 4 inches, in diameter. Each bulb produces a cluster of two to twelve funnel-shaped flowers. In its native South Africa, flowering generally occurs annually but depends on available sunlight. Plants tend to be found in dense concentrations due to the seeds' large size and heavy weight. Strong winds shake loose the seeds, which fall to ground immediately surrounding the plant and start to germinate.

For many years there was confusion among botanists over the generic names Amaryllis and Hippeastrum, resulting in the common name "amaryllis" being applied to cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum, which is a showy winter-blooming blub typically grown as a houseplant and producing very large flowers that bloom in the winter. The Hippeastrum species are indigenous to Central and South America.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Rock Herb Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Double King'
    RIch red blooms 8" across slight fragrance
'Double King'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#red flowers#interiorscape#large flowers#rock garden#winter flowers#Christmas decorations#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Double King'
    RIch red blooms 8" across slight fragrance
'Double King'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#red flowers#interiorscape#large flowers#rock garden#winter flowers#Christmas decorations#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amaryllis
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Houseplant
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    White
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds are compressed-globose, white to pink.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    One or more stout, hollow, leafless stems (scapes) that grow 12 to 18 inches tall support 2 to 6 large amaryllis flowers, in shades of red, pink and white with interesting spotting and banding. Each flower is 21/2 to 4 inches diameter with six spreading tepals (three outer sepals, three inner petals, with similar appearance to each other). The usual color is white with crimson veins, but pink or purple also occur naturally.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large strap-shaped green leaves begin to grow at about the time the flowers open. The leaves are green with a midrib, 12 to 20 inches long and 3/4 to 1 inch wide, arranged in two rows.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    One or two leafless, stout, persistent and erect stems support the flowers.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting (not horses), depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and others
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No