| Amaryllis belladonna | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amaryllidoideae |
| Genus: | Amaryllis |
| Species: | A. belladonna |
| Binomial name | |
| Amaryllis belladonna | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Species synonymy
| |
Amaryllis belladonna,[2] theJersey lily,[3]belladonna-lily,naked-lady-lily,[4] orMarch lily,[5] is a plant species native toCape Province inSouth Africa but widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is reportedlynaturalized in many places:Corsica,Portugal, theAzores,Madeira, theCanary Islands, theScilly Isles ofGreat Britain, theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,Ascension Island,Australia,New Zealand,Mexico,Cuba,Haiti, theDominican Republic,Chile,California,Texas,Louisiana,Mississippi,Michigan,Indiana and theJuan Fernández Islands.[6][7]
Perennialbulbousgeophyte with one to two erect solid stems which appear in late summer. Theinflorescence bears 2–12 showy fragrant funnel-shaped flowers on a 'naked' (leafless) stem, which gives it the common name of naked-lady-lily. The pink flowers which may be up to 10cm in length, appear in the autumn before the leaves (hysteranthy) which are narrow and strap shaped.[4][5]
Amaryllis belladonna is one of the two species in the genusAmaryllis as currentlycircumscribed.[8]
Thespecific epithetbelladonna is derived from the Italianbella donna, which means beautiful lady.[9]
Amaryllis belladonna is found in South Africa, where the plants are found growing among rocks.[5]
Leaves ofA. belladonna begin growing in early spring, or during late autumn. They last for a few weeks to a few months until they wither away, and a flower stalk will begin growing. When found in the wild,Amaryllis belladonna is pollinated byhawk moths andcarpenter bees. The flower has a long-tubed, paleperianth, which fully expands at night. This flower will then release a sweet fragrance, that contains acyclic terpenoidalcohol,linalool and abundantnectar, that attracts pollinators to it.[10]A. belladonna seeds are soft and fleshy, and appear white or pinkish. They are dispersed throughwind dispersal during the winter time. This is to coincide with the first winter rain during March, and April. Seeds will germinate in as early as two weeks, but will not develop into a fully flowering plant until three to six years later.[citation needed]
All parts of theA. belladonna plant are toxic and contain several different alkaloids, such aslycorine,pancracine andamaryllidine. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans. In wildlife these toxins will affectgrazing species, and will cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distress, lethargy, and heart or renal failure. Deer will avoid eating this plant, possibly due to an evolutionary relationship.[11]
The bulbs are best planted just below the surface of the soil, with the neck of the bulb level with the surface. In colder climatesmulching or lifting andoverwintering is required. The bulbs may be propagated fromoffsets. Amaryllis bulbs require little watering and are drought tolerant.[5] This plant has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[4]
Several compounds have been found inA. belladonna bulbs, including, 1,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxy powellan, which is analkaloid. It has been observed that alkaloids in this plants bulb have properties to fight againstmalaria caused byP. falciparum.[12]
Media related toAmaryllis belladonna at Wikimedia Commons
