HAEMANTHUS BARKERAE

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Deidré Anne Snijman in 1981. It is found in south-western South Africa, growing in a clayish soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 20 centimetres in height. The flowers are pale to deep pink. The leaves have purple-maroon markings on the underside, given light enough.

The name Haemanthus is derived from the Greek haima meaning 'blood' and anthos meaning 'flower' - a reference to the red flowers of most species. The specific name commemorates Winsome Fanny Barker, 1907-1994, erstwhile Curator of the Compton Herbarium at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, and noted for her work on Amaryllidaceae, Liliaceae and Haemodoraceae. This is a winter-grower. The fruits by Dewidine, Ispotnature.org.