HAEMANTHUS LANCEIFOLIUS

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin in 1979. It is found in Namaqualand in South Africa, growing in a well drained sandy or mixed gravel-soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 3,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to three centimetres in height - although the leaves might get to nine centimetres in length. The flowers are white to pale pink. Other botanists have suggested other classification, but it seems like von Jacquin's remain the most used.

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 species name from Latin; lancea 'lance, spear' and‎ folium; 'leaf' after the lance-shaped leaves. This is a winter-grower.