Haemanthus albiflos

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Haemanthus albiflos
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Amaryllidaceae Genus: Haemanthus Species: H. albiflos
Binomial name
Haemanthus albiflos Jacq.
Distribution of H. albiflos in South Africa

Haemanthus albiflos Jacq. is an evergreen South African bulbous geophyte belonging to the Amaryllidaceae and prized horticulturally for its unusual appearance and extreme tolerance of neglect. H. albiflos is the only Haemanthus species found in both winter and summer rainfall regions, and has a mainly coastal distribution from the southern Cape through the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, showing a preference for cool, shady spots. The upper half of the bulb is usually exposed and bright green. Since it produces a pair of leaves once a year and is evergreen, together with H. deformis and H. pauculifolius, the plant may have up to three pairs of leaves. Leaves may have a covering of short, soft hairs, and occasionally have yellow spots on the upper surface. It reproduces readily by adventitious buds or offsets, which may be removed when the flowering period, from early April to July, is over.

H. albiflos's specific name means 'white flower' in Latin.

[edit] Gallery

H. albiflos fruiting head

H. albiflos flowerhead

H. albiflos fruits and seeds

[edit] References

• Royal Horticultural Society