Family Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllis belladonna
grows in the South Western Cape. The bulb is typically large, brown and rounded
and has a moderate growth rate. The large clusters of scented, trumpet-shaped
pink or white flowers are carried on a long purplish-red and green stem
appearing 50cm above the soil. Up to twelve flowers are produced from the
flowering stem. These flowers are 10cm long and apically flare open about 8cm.
Protruding from each flower is a long upturned style amongst
a group of large curved anthers. The anthers are black and shiny at first, but
split open to reveal masses of sticky white pollen. The inflorescence tends to
face the direction that receives the most sun. Although most flowers are pale
pink, white and dark pink forms occur.
The strap-like leaves are deciduous and are produced after
flowering. The leaves remain green throughout the winter period. The leaves
produce a starch, which is stored in the bulb. In summer the leaves die back
and the bulb becomes dormant. This strange phenomenon of flowering before the
leaves appear is known as hysteranthy. The belladonna lily's specific flowering
time is late summer, February and March.
Amaryllis
is Greek feminine and is named after a beautiful shepherdess. The specific
epithet belladonna means beautiful lady. The appearance of the tall,
flower stalk without any leaves accounts for the common name "naked
lady". Amaryllis belladonna in its natural habitat is found in small
dense groups among rocks. Therefore the best place to plant them would be in a
rock garden. In a created landscape, Amaryllis can be used mixed in between
blue Agapanthus as a good combination, as the evergreen leaves of the
Agapanthus provide skirts for the naked ladies. They can also be grown between
a ground cover or mixed annual or herbaceous border.
Info: http://www.plantzafrica.com
