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Haemanthus sanguineus

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Photo of a wild plant by Abu Shawka, Wikipedia.org.


Photo of the flower by Cameron McMaster, Pacificbulbsociety.org.


Drawing by Barbara Jeppe.

Author: Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin, 1804
Family:  AMARYLLIDACEAE
Origin:  Western Cape; Southern South Africa
Soil:  Mix - Grit
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  7,5 Centimetres
Height:  5 (30) Centimetres
Flower:  Red - Crimson - Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Bulbs
Names:  Red Paintbrush, April Fool, Shaving Brush, Common Paintbrush, Blood Lily
Synonyms:  Might be: Melicho sanguineus, Richard Anthony Salisbury, 1866.
Haemanthus rotundifolius
Ker Gawler, 1814.
Haemanthus incarnatus,
Burch. ex Herb. 1837.
Haemanthus lambertianus,
Schult. & Schult.f.
Haemanthus obliquus,
Donn.
Haemanthus orbicularis,
Donn.

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin in 1804. It is found in Western Cape in southern South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 7,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to five centimetres in height, although the leaves can reach 30 centimetres each. The flowers are from red over crimson to yellow.

Haemanthus means blood flower; Greek haima for 'blood' and anthos meaning 'flower' - a reference to the red flowers of most species. The species name is quite the same: Latin sanguis means 'blood', -ineus indicates it is the colour, referring to blood-red colour of flower.

This is a winter-grower.


Odd looking... Might not have seen it alive - or in culture.