Haemanthus

Haemanthus

This is an interesting genus of some 20 species of bulbs belongs to the Amaryllidaceae - the Amaryllus family.

Haemanthus coccineus is a fairly common species and is often available to purchase. 

The flowers appear at the top of a 10-15cm erect solid stalk.  The flowers at the top of the stalk have very small petals and it is the clusters of stamen which make this look like a paint filled paintbrush.  It is unusual and interesting.  The masses of orange red stamen each capped with a yellow pollen sack all surrounded by bright red bracts.  The flowers may vary in colour a little if grown from seed. Records show these colours may vary from bright pink to dark red.

H. coccineus is generally evergreen with wide (up to 15cm) flat dull green leaves growing horizontal to the ground.  The leaves are an attraction on their own.

Haemanthus albiflos is a fairly common species and is often available to purchase. 

The flowers appear at the top of a 10-15cm erect solid stalk.  The flowers at the top of the stalk have very small petals and it is the clusters of stamen which make this look like a paint filled paintbrush. H. albiflos produces masses of white or light green stamen each capped with a yellow pollen sack all surrounded by green bracts. 

H. albiflos is generally evergreen with wide (up to 8cm) hairy leaves. It is the only species that multiplies readily from leaf cutting as well as by division.

If you can get hold of these plants try growing them