Is Amaryllis a type of lily?

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Plants of the genus Amaryllis are known as belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo, Easter lily in Southern Australia or, in South Africa, March lily due to its propensity to flower around March. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily, Lilium.



Then, what is the difference between lily and amaryllis?

An amaryllis has a straight stalk with strap like leaves coming up directly from the bulb. A lily has short leaves, growing out from the stalk all the way from the bulb to the flower. They are done blooming and the blooms have been removed, but you can see the difference in the leaves on the stems.

Beside above, what type of plant is Amaryllis? Amaryllis is a monotypic (consisting of only one species) genus of flowering plants containing the Belladonna Lily, popularly known as the Amaryllis belladonna lily. Amaryllis is a native of South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Also question is, are amaryllis part of the lily family?

The Easter lily or Lilium longiflorum is a member of the family Liliaceae, whereas the amaryllis or Amaryllis hippeastrum, belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. The elegant and fragrant lily flowers appear at the top of this long stem. The amaryllis is propagated from seed, offsets and surgical bulb division.

How do I identify an amaryllis?

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) Simple leaves are entire, linear to strap-shaped, and up to two feet long. They are glabrous, light green, and arise with or after the flower stalk emerges. One to ten flowers may be produced on a hollow, leafless stalk to two feet tall.

33 Related Question Answers Found

How many types of lilies are there?

The most popular hybrids are Asiatic, Aurelian and Oriental lilies, but did you know that there are about 90 species in the genus Lilium? Read on to learn more about nine different divisions of lilies and a few of their common cultivars, so that you can determine which would bloom best in your garden.

How many petals does an amaryllis have?

Amaryllis produces 2 to 12 funnel-shaped, showy and fragrant flowers on top of the flowering stalks. Flowers consist of 6 tepals (three sepals which look like petals and three petals) that are usually white (with crimson veins), purple or pink colored. Amaryllis can produce single or double blooms.

How do you propagate an amaryllis?

Propagation by Cuttage
Dig out established bulbs between July and November after they have flowered. Cut your bulb vertically into at least four sections using a sharp knife. Amaryllis plants have thick bulb scales that are attached to the basal plate, similar to onions.

How do you grow an amaryllis indoors?

Planting Bulb: Plant your amaryllis in light, well-draining potting mix, with the top 1/3 of the bulb sticking up out of the soil. Water: Water the amaryllis whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid letting the bulb sit in wet soil, and avoid pouring water down into the crown of the bulb.

How tall can an amaryllis get?


I assume you are referring to the large bulb that goes by the common name amaryllis. Its Latin name is Hippeastrum and it grows anywhere from one to three feet tall.

Where does amaryllis come from?

Native to Peru and South Africa, the genus Amaryllis comes from the Greek word amarysso, which means "to sparkle." Bulbs were brought to Europe in the 1700s and have been known to bloom for up to 75 years.

What is the difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum?

When it's a Hippeastrum! To put things in context, the beautiful winter flower we have all come to love – with its lush petals, warm and vivid colours and festive connotations – is not, as it is most widely known, the Amaryllis, but rather the Hippeastrum.

What is the tallest Amaryllis?


The tallest bloom is the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), an example of which was grown by Louis Ricciardiello (USA) measuring 3.1 m (10 ft 2.25 in) tall on 18 June 2010, when it was on display at Winnipesaukee Orchids in Gilford, New Hampshire, USA.

What does the amaryllis flower symbolize?

The amaryllis commonly means determination, beauty, and love. The Victorians associated amaryllis with strength and determination because of their height and sturdiness. Amaryllis can also mean success, and are commonly given as gifts of hard-won achievement. Amaryllis is a Greek female name that means “to sparkle”.

How many flowers does an amaryllis have?

This is why a small amaryllis bulb can produce a single stem with 2 or 3 flowers, while the largest size bulbs is able to produce 3 stems, each with 4 or 5 flowers.

Is an amaryllis annual or perennial?

You can grow amaryllis from seed, but it can take up to six years for them to reach maturity and produce flowers. Amaryllis are tender perennials; most are hardy outdoors only in zones 9 to 11. Properly cared for, an amaryllis plant can live for 75 years!

Are amaryllis flowers edible?


An amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) in bloom is a common fixture in many households around the holidays, offering a respite of color for winter-weary eyes. The plant is considered poisonous to humans if ingested, primarily causing stomach upset if the bulb is ingested.

Can you plant an amaryllis outside?

Amaryllis Planting Outdoors
Amaryllis bulbs are easy enough to grow indoors, and just as easy to grow in the garden provided you live in a suitable region. Those gifted to you (or purchased plants) can go outside in spring, after the threat of frost has passed. Wait until the plants have finished blooming too.

Is Amaryllis toxic to cats?

Amaryllis plants are a type of lily, sometimes referred to as a Belladonna lily or Saint Joseph lily. The plant, whose scientific botanical name is Amaryllis sp. contains lycorine, a substance that is toxic to cats if ingested, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.