Anthericum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anthericum
St. Bernard's lily, Anthericum ramosum
St. Bernard's lily, Anthericum ramosum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Anthericaceae
Genus: Anthericum
L.
Species

See text.

Anthericum is a genus of about 300 species, rhizomatous perennial plants in the family Anthericaceae. The species have rhizomatous or tuberous roots, long narrow leaves and branched stems carrying starry white flowers. The members of this genus occurs mainly in the tropical and southern Africa and Madagascar, but also represented in Europe.

Etymology - the generic name Anthericum is derived from the Greek antherikos (straw), refereing ro the narrow leaves.

Only two species are in general cultivation. A number of species are now included in the genus Chlorophytum, the Spider Plant, a familiar and popular house plant. Others, including the St. Bruno's Lily, are now classed in the genus Paradisea.