Hippeastrum Herbert

	Hippeastrum sp. Photo: © J.R. Manhart

amaryllis

amaryllis

Most of the cut stems are the "large-flowered hybrids", often of obscure parentage, though many are derived from Hippeastrum vittatum (L’Hérit.) Herb.

H. vittatum x H. reginae (L.) Herb. gave rise to H. xjohnsonii hort.

H. gracilis (not a valid name) is also used.

H. 'Red Lion' most popular cut flower cultivar

Central America, South America.

Leafless, stout, hollow scapes bearing umbels of usually 4 large, horizontal, funnel- to trumpet-shaped flowers; umbel subtended by 2 large, equal, persistent spathe bracts; perianth tube usually short, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3.

Scapes usually green, also brown, grey or purple; flowers ca. 10-15 cm across; cultivars usually single, occasionally double; 3 inner tepals often narrower than 3 outer ones; flowers mostly red, also white, pink, orange, or in streaked, striped or speckled combinations of these colors.

Nerine, Amaryllis

Amaryllis scapes are solid and purple, and bear usually 6 or more strongly scented flowers per scape.

Zimbabwe.