GETHYLLIS SPIRALIS

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1781. It is found in south-western South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to three centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to twelve centimetres in height. The flowers are white.

The genera name from Greek gethyon, 'bulb'. The species name from Latin; 'coiled, wound round' for the leaves. This is a winter-grower but summer-blossomed.