What is the difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum?

Amaryllis vs Hippeastrum: What is the Difference?

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About Amaryllis   Ι   About Hippeastrum   Ι   Difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum and Amaryllis are both flowering bulbs grown outdoors in warmer climates. Both plants produce stunning umbelliform flowers and are commonly confused. This article looks at the differences between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a flowering bulb native to South Africa made up of two species, A. belladonna and A. paradisicola. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, named the species Amaryllis in 1753. He named the South African plant Amaryllis belladonna, based on the Greek word “amarysso,” which means “to sparkle,” in reference to the plant’s beautiful flowers.

Flowers on a single leafless stem in autumn, hence the name ‘naked lady‘. At the top of each stem is a cluster of six or more trumpet-shaped flowers most commonly in pink. A month or so later, the strappy foliage appears, lasting through winter before dying back.

Family Amaryllidaceae
Botanical name Amaryllis belladonna, Amaryllis paradisicola
Common names Belladonna lily, Amaryllis, Cape belladonna, Naked lady, Jersey lily, March lily, True amaryllis
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower colour Pink, red and white
Native to South Africa
Position Full sun, partial sun

Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum is a genus made up of 90 species and 600 hybrids and cultivars of flowering bulbs native to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. This showy plant is commonly sold as an indoor flowering plant during the Christmas period.

Hippeastrum was previously known as Amaryllis, however, in 1987, the 14th International Botanical Congress ruled that the name Amaryllis belonged to the South African genus while the South American natives were transferred to Hippeastrum. Most commercial Hippeastrum hybrids are derived from just six species.

Family Amaryllidaceae
Botanical name Hippeastrum spp.
Common names Hippeastrum, Amaryllis, Mexican lily, St. Joseph’s lily
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower colour Red, salmon, pink, apricot, red and white
Native to Caribbean, Mexico and South America
Position Full sun to part shade

 

What is the difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum?


Amaryllis
Hippeastrum
NATIVE TO South Africa. Originates from Central and South
America
SPECIES One species (Amaryllis belladonna). Contains multiple species under
the genus Hippeastrum.
NAME Known as Belladonna Lily. Known as hippeastrum, also
commonly called Amaryllis (confusingly).
STEMS Produces one flower long leafless stem when flowering, pink flowers have a purple stem, white flowers have a green stem. Stems are thinner. Produces multiple flower short stems. Stems are thicker.
FLOWERS Flowers have six equal petals that face upward. Flowers have six petals, often with a trumpet-like shape that face outward or slightly downward.
FLOWER COLOUR Pink or white. Red, pink, white, and orange.
BLOOMS Blooms in late summer or early autumn. Blooms in winter or spring.
LEAVES Narrow and strap-like with a prominent midrib. Wider and more sword-like with a less prominent midrib.
PROPAGATION Propagates through seeds and offsets. Propagates through offsets and, occasionally, seeds.
DORMANCY Requires a dry dormancy period before flowering. Can flower without a specific dormancy period.
FRAGRANCE Sweet, honeysuckle. No scent.
USES Amaryllis typically grow outside in warmer climates and is not generally grown as an indoor plant. Hippeastrum is widely sold as indoor flowering bulbs during the Northern Hemisphere Christmas period.
Can also grow outdoors in warmer climates.
BULBS Amaryllis bulbs are planted entirely beneath the soil. The neck of the Hippeastrum bulb remains above ground.
SEED SHAPE Round. Oblong or three-lobed.
NATURAL GROWTH Grows in clusters in the wild. Grows individually or in small groups in the wild.

 

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