HAEMANTHUS SANGUINEUS

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was given this name by Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin in 1804. It is found in Western Cape in southern South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The bulb can grow to 7,5 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to five centimetres in height, although the leaves can reach 30 centimetres each. The flowers are from red over crimson to yellow. Haemanthus means blood flower; Greek haima for 'blood' and anthos meaning 'flower' - a reference to the red flowers of most species.

The species name is quite the same: Latin sanguis means 'blood', - ineus indicates it is the colour, referring to blood-red colour of flower. This is a winter-grower. Odd looking... Might not have seen it alive - or in culture.