HAEMANTHUS

Haemanthus coccineus, the Blood Flower or Paintbrush Lily, is a bulbous geophyte in the genus Haemanthus, native to Southern Africa.The generic name Haemanthus is derived from the Greek words haima for blood and anthos for flower; coccineus is the Latin word for red or scarlet. In the Afrikaans language it is known as Bergajuin, Bloedblom, and one may also encounter it under many other vernacular names. It is in the Amaryllidaceae family.

The flowerheads of Haemanthus coccineus emerge between February and April (it is now in bloom in our garden in Melbourne, Australia), with scarlet spathe valves on them like bright shaving brushes, make it a striking plant. The flowers are soon followed by translucent, fleshy berries. There are usually two large leaves per bulb, and occasionally three, which appear after flowering. The brilliant flowerheads account for its early appearance in Europe, being described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1762. Together with Haemanthus sanguineus (Jacq.), this was the first Haemanthus to be introduced to European horticulture as an ornamental plant.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.