Amaryllis

From Citizendium
Revision as of 16:13, 17 October 2007 by imported>Kim van der Linde (added taxobox)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
Gallery [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.
Hippeastrum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Genus: Hippeastrum
Herb.

Amaryllis is the common name for a group of showy ornamental perennials in the genus Hippeastrum.

These flowers are native to tropical South America, most varieties require protection and care to grow even in temperate climates. Where it is cultivated, the offsets are planted in late summer or early fall for winter-blooming varieties, and early spring for summer-blooming ones. All need a minimum temperature of 55-60° Fahrenheit to grow.

Most kinds of amaryllis are derived from the hybrid H. x johnsonii, created in 1799. It descendants include varieties produced flowers ranging in color from deep red to red-orange to white.