Haemanthus

Haemanthus is a genus of plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is native to southern Africa, from Namibia and South Africa to Swaziland. The name Haemanthus is derived from the Greek words for blood, haima, and flower, anthos, in reference to the bright red flowers of many species.

Description[edit | edit source]

Haemanthus species are bulbous plants with a single pair of large, broad leaves. The leaves are often covered in short hairs or longer, woolly hairs. The flowers are borne in an umbel at the top of a leafless stem, and are usually red, pink or white. The fruit is a fleshy berry.

Species[edit | edit source]

There are about 22 species in the genus. Some of the more well-known species include:

Cultivation[edit | edit source]

Haemanthus species are grown as ornamental plants for their striking foliage and colourful flowers. They are generally easy to grow in a well-drained soil, in a sunny or partially shaded position. Some species are suitable for growing in containers.

Uses[edit | edit source]

In addition to their use as ornamental plants, some Haemanthus species have traditional uses in herbal medicine. For example, the bulbs of Haemanthus coccineus are used in traditional medicine in South Africa to treat coughs and colds.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Haemanthus Resources
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