Amaryllis or Hippeastrum ?
Introduction
Most of you are familiar with Amaryllis as the go-to holiday gift to give or get during the Christmas season. But did you know that the red one commonly used is but a fraction of what is available. I urge you to seek them out and plant them for endless winter color in your home. Go online and search – you will be amazed at how many there are and how easy it is to get them to bloom.
The six most common species used in hybridizing are shown in pictures throughout the article. The number of commercially available cultivars from these are endless!
Hippeastrum vittatum
Description
Here is the twist.
Amaryllis is a genus of two species of bulbs – both native to South Africa. A. belladonna and A. paradisicola.
Hippeastrum on the other hand - is the genus of the bulbs we actually call Amaryllis ! These are native to South America, from Mexico, the Caribbean, and on down to Argentina.
The name is derived from the Ancient Greek, meaning a "knight's star" from (hippeus, mounted knight) and (astron, star). Most are terrestrial – but there are several epiphytic ones as well. It is sometimes called Barbados Lily.
There are a slew of species growing in the wild – about 100. And an endless amount of hybrids and cultivars in every color, shape, and size imaginable.
H. leopoldi
Environment
Since there are so many species their habitat is varied. Although mainly tropical - some grow at very high elevations are categorized as temperate.
Mostly terrestrial and found in underbrush they prefer partial shade. Under trees and shrubs or wherever grass won’t grow is their preferred spot.
A few prefer full sun in moist soil. Some even evolved to handle flood areas or developed in dry habitats. There are also epiphytic species, which require air circulation around their roots just like epiphytic orchids.
All attract bumblebees, hummingbirds and songbirds.
H. reticulatum
Flowers
Well know hybrids and cultivars are valued for their large ornamental flowers, particularly for indoor cultivation during the northern hemisphere winter.
Modern cultivars lack any fragrance, although 'Dancing Queen' represents the one exception. Fragrance is genetically related to flower color (white, or pastel shades).
Flowers form on tall spikes which are replaced by 4 oval shaped seed pods later in the season. Keep in mind - the larger the bulb, the more flowers it will produce.
H. reginae
Plant Problems
Outdoors, butterflies and moths both lay eggs on foliage and are used as food plants by the larvae. In gardens (Florida) the plants are also subject to mealy bugs, narcissus bulb flies, thrips, spider mites, aphids, snails and slugs ! Oh and grasshoppers and katydids.!!!!!
But most of us grow them indoors by a sunny windowsill and avoid all that !
As for diseases - the biggest liability is root rot caused by keeping the soil too wet !
H. aulicum
Care
Easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soil in full shade to part shade. Will tolerate full sun. An adaptable plant that is tolerant of heat, humidity and poor soil. Remember - It does not like wet soil.
After blooming keep in a sunny window until the foliage withers a few months later. Then put it to rest in a dark closet for 2 months and don’t water it. Once you bring it out from its rest, water it, and put it back in that sunny window - it should rebloom in a few weeks!
Not that difficult – I’ve done it many times myself.
Ethnobotany
H. puniceum has been used in folk medicine to treat swellings and wounds.
The genus has yielded many compounds – “candimine” is used as anti-parasitic, while “montanine” has demonstrated antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties.
H. puniceum
Amaryllis bulb with flower bud showing
Poisonous
Amaryllis is toxic to pets, especially dogs and cats. The bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant. Keep children away as well !
“Dancing Queen” - and its a double !!!
Cultivars
The only one that has a noticeable fragrance !
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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA
All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK
