Amaryllis, << `am` uh RIHL ihs, >> is a small group of plants that are native to western South Africa and have beautiful, funnel-shaped flowers. Two species (kinds) of amaryllis exist. Both are grown as bulbs. Both have long stems and long, narrow leaves. Their flowers are made up of three petals and three petallike structures called sepals.
The belladonna lily is the more well-known species of amaryllis. It is a popular garden plant. Although it resembles a lily in many ways, most scientists do not consider the belladonna lily to be a true lily. The stalk of the belladonna lily is 18 to 30 inches (46 to 76 centimeters) high. It is topped by a cluster of 6 to 10 flowers. The fragrant blossoms are usually 3 inches (8 centimeters) long and vary in color from rose-red to white.
The other species of amaryllis was discovered in the late 1900’s. It is so rare that it does not have a common name. Its flowers are typically pink-colored.
The word amaryllis is also used as the name of the plant family to which the two species of amaryllis belong. Amaryllis is also sometimes used to describe flowers that look like those of the belladonna lily but are not true amaryllises.
