Amaryllis is a fibrous rooted perennial bulbous herb. Plants are about 45-60 cm high bearing many strap-like glossy and green leaves. The inflorescence consisting of a leafless stalk is an umbel and attains a height of about 60 -120 cm.

Flowers are large, funnel shaped and remain fresh for 4-5 days from the date of opening. The lower flower of the spike opens earlier than the upper one. The perianth tube is short and ribbed, the divisions are oblong or lanceolate.

The filaments are distinct and no scale is observed between them. The stamens are on the throat of the tube. Fruits are globose capsule opening irregularly. With the advancement of winter, leaf-fall occurs in cooler region. In tropical climate bulbs are not leafless at the time of flowering. After flowering, plants start to grow if sufficient moistnre exists in the soil.

Both Amaryllis and Hippeastrum belong to the family Amaryllidaceae and consist of several species. The wild species of Amaryllis are classified into five divisions (sub-genera) viz. (i) Macropodastrum (Elegans group), (ii) Lais (Striata group), (iii) Amaryllis (Belladona group), (iv) Omphalissa (Anlica group) and (v) Sealyan (Reticulata group). The cultivated amaryllis is classified into 8 divisions.

1. Cultivated wild amaryllis
The wild species in cultivation are listed as Amaryllis belladonna var. major and A. belladona, A. Striata, A. immmaculata and A. psittacina.

2. Long-trumpet amaryllis hybrids
The hybrids have resulted due to crosses of Amaryllis elegans with A. Stylosa, A. striata and A. vittata. These hybrids have fragrant, and long trumpet flowers are lost. The present day hybrids have the pedicels relatively long, flowers drooping, tepal tube very long (11-15 cm).


3. Belladonna -type amaryllis hybrids
The first amaryllis hybrid Amaryllis x johnsonic reported as early as 1799 belongs to this group. The pedicels of these hybrids are relatively long, flowers usually drooping, but not always so.



Next : Different classification of Amaryllis(contd.)