Amaryllis

The Amaryllis is a unique genus of flowering bulb plants.

It is the only genus found within the subtribe Amaryllidinae. While many people use the name "amaryllis" to describe flowers in shops, the true genus is quite small. It contains only two accepted species. These plants are famous for their striking appearance and their specific growth patterns. They belong to the tribe Amaryllideae. Because of their shape, they are often called lilies. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily, known as Lilium.

The growth cycle of the Amaryllis follows a very specific sequence. First, the plant produces green, strap-shaped leaves. These leaves have a midrib and are arranged in two rows. In warm climates, these leaves grow in the autumn or early spring. Once the leaves have finished their work, they die down. This leaves the bulb in a dormant state during the summer. In late summer, one or two leafless, stout stems emerge from the bulb. These stems grow straight up and carry a cluster of two to twelve flowers at the top. This pattern of flowering after the leaves have died is why some call the plant the "naked lady."

The flowers themselves have a very distinct structure. Each flower is funnel-shaped and zygomorphic, meaning they have a specific symmetry. They lack a tube and instead feature six spreading tepals. Tepals are parts that look like both petals and sepals. Usually, the flowers are white with crimson veins, but they can also be pink or purple. Inside the flower, the stamens are unequal and the style has a three-lobed stigma. Each flower contains about eight ovules per locule. The seeds produced are compressed-globose and range in color from white to pink.

The history of the Amaryllis name involves a long scientific debate. In 1753, the scientist Carl Linnaeus named the type species Amaryllis belladonna. At that time, he placed both South African and South American plants into this same genus. Later, botanists realized these plants were actually different. This led to a disagreement between scientists on both sides of the Atlantic. The debate lasted from 1938 onwards regarding which plants deserved the name. In 1987, the 14th International Botanical Congress settled the matter. They decided Amaryllis would be a conserved name. They based this decision on a specimen held at the Natural History Museum in London.

Today, we know there are only two species in this genus. Both are native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. The first is Amaryllis belladonna, which lives in the rocky southwest area. This species has been introduced to many places, including California, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The second species is Amaryllis paradisicola, which is found in the west Cape Provinces. These plants have specific habitats. In mountainous fynbos areas, flowering is often suppressed until after bush fires. In open, sandy areas of the Western Cape, the plants can flower every year.

The ecology of the Amaryllis involves interesting relationships with insects. The plant relies on pollinators to reproduce. Carpenter bees are thought to be the main pollinators on the Cape Peninsula. Noctuid moths also visit the flowers at night. While these insects help the plant, it also has parasites. The lily borer, known as Brithys crini or Diaphone eumela, is a main parasite of the plant. The seeds are also quite heavy. Strong winds shake them loose, and they germinate quickly when the first winter rains arrive.

Cultivation has led to many interesting variations of the plant. In the 1800s, breeders in Australia created Amaryllis belladonna hybrids. They crossed different plants to create colors like peach, magenta, and nearly red. These hybrids often have stripes, veining, or darkened edges. They can also produce flowers in a fuller circle compared to the original species. Some scientists have even crossed Amaryllis belladonna with Crinum moorei to create a hybrid called × Amarcrinum. These studies show how much the plant can change through careful breeding.