Warning
Seek medical attention if any part of the bulb is eaten or if symptoms occur.
Description
A cultivated garden or potted plant to 60cm. This perennial herb is grown from a large bulb which produces showy flowers at the end of thick hollow stems.
Large funnel-shaped flowers, 13 to 20cm in diameter, are produced in groups at the end of a long stem 30 to 75cm long and range in colour from red/crimson, pink/orange or white and sometimes with stripes.
The green strap-like leaves are 2 to 5cm wide and 30 to 90cm long, arising from the base of the plant.
Toxicity
Symptoms
Ingestion, particularly of the bulb, may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Images
Details
Common name: Amaryllis
Botanical name: Hippeastrum spp.
Other common names: Hippeastrum
Family: Liliaceae
General description: A cultivated garden or potted plant to 60cm. This perennial herb is grown from a large bulb which produces showy flowers at the end of thick hollow stems.
Flowers: Large funnel-shaped flowers, 13 to 20cm in diameter, are produced in groups at the end of a long stem 30 to 75cm long and range in colour from red/crimson, pink/orange or white and sometimes with stripes.
Leaves: The green strap-like leaves are 2 to 5cm wide and 30 to 90cm long, arising from the base of the plant.
Fruit/Berries: The fruit are three-valved capsules containing flattened black seeds.