Haemanthus canaliculatus
Haemanthus canaliculatus Levyns
Haemanthus canaliculatus is a bulbous geophyte in the Amaryllidaceae family, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is commonly known as the fireball lily and is found in a limited area between Kleinmond and Rooiels. This species grows at about 30 m above sea level in areas with an annual rainfall of 650 mm, typically in seasonally inundated shallow depressions under dense bush. The plant produces one to four red-barred leaves that appear after flowering.
Description
Haemanthus canaliculatus has a bulb with thick, fleshy, distichous leaf-bases that are loosely separated. The peduncle can reach 200 mm in length and is covered by 5-7 bright red to pink spathe valves. The flowers are followed by reddish fruits approximately 20 mm in diameter, which contain shiny, deep red seeds. This species is distinguished by its habitat and the structure of its bulb, which resembles spread fingers. It is closely related to Haemanthus pubescens but differs in the arrangement of its bulb tunics.
Distribution
Cape Provinces
