AMARYLLIS
Amaryllis
L., Sp. Pl. 293. 1753
Bulbous perennial herb, bulb (tunicate) 5-10 cm in diameter, scapose. Leaves several, strap-shaped, green, 30-50 cm long and 2-3 cm broad, arranged in 2 rows. One or two leafless (naked) stem (scape) per bulb, each with a cluster of 2-12 flowers at top, scape solid. Flowers appear in autumn before leaves (Hysteranthy). Flowers funnelform, fragrant; 6-10 cm across; scapes appear from bulbs in leafless condition. Perianth of 6 tepals in 2 whorls, all similar, white with crimson veins, but pink or purple also occur naturally; tepals or perianth lobes curve backwards at the tips.
2 species
Amaryllis belladonna
Amaryllis belladonna
L., Sp. Pl. 293. 1753.
Herbs, perennial, scapose from bulbs; bulbs large, brown and rounded, 6-10 cm in diameter. Leaves several, sessile, strap-shaped, green, 30-40 cm long and 2-5 cm broad, leaves deciduous, appear after flowering over and die down after late spring and remaining green throughput winter. In summer leaves die back and bulbs become fully dormant. 1-2 scapes per flowering stem appear on one bulb, scapes 50 cm or more in length, leafless, solid, purplish red and green, bear 2-12 flowers in umbellate fashion; spathe bracts 2, large, 4-5 cm x ca. 1 cm, membranous. Pedicels ca. 3 cm long, green; flowers large, ca. 10 cm long and apically flare open about 8- 9.5 cm across; fragrant, trumpet-shaped. Perianth pale pink, of 6 tepals, in 2 whorls of 3 each, connate at the base, perianth tube short, ca. 3 cm long. Outer perianth larger: ca. 12 cm x 2.8 cm long; and inner smaller: tepals ca. 12 cm x 2 cm, lanceolate to subrhombic, base narrow, apex acuminate, veins prominent. Stamens 6, free; 3 larger with ca. 9.5 cm long filaments and 5 mm long anthers; 3 smaller with ca. 8.2 cm long filaments and 4 mm long anthers; apical part of filaments curved; anthers dorsifixed. Carpels 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior, ca. 10 mm long, 3-locular with many ovules per loculus; style ca. 11 cm long, upturned near apex; stigma trilobed, lobes small.
Fruit not observed.
Common Names: Belladonna Lily, Naked Lady Lily, Jersey Lily, Barbados Lily, Guernsey, March Lily
