royal-paintbrush
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal, known as royal-paintbrush, is a bulbous plant native to southern and eastern Africa. It is found in Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa. The species thrives in cool, shaded environments such as ravines and forests, often in moist leaf litter. It is one of nine Scadoxus species, with three occurring in South Africa, including S. multiflorus and S. membranaceus.
Description
Scadoxus puniceus belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is commonly called paintbrush lily, snake lily, King-of-Candida, or African blood lily. It is also known by local names such as rooikwas (Afrikaans), isisphompho, and umgola (Zulu). The species was published in 1976. It is distinguished by its red, brush-like inflorescence and is adapted to moist, shaded habitats. The genus Scadoxus includes nine species, three of which are native to South Africa.
Other common names
royal-paintbrush
Distribution
IN · Botswana · Cape Provinces · Ethiopia · Free State · KwaZulu-Natal · Malawi · Mozambique · Northern Provinces · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Zambia · Zimbabwe
Synonyms
Haemanthus fax-imperiiHaemanthus goetzeiHaemanthus insignisHaemanthus magnificusHaemanthus natalensisHaemanthus orchidifoliusHaemanthus puniceusHaemanthus redouteanusHaemanthus rouperiHaemanthus superbusGyaxis puniceusHaemanthus puniceus var. fortuitaHaemanthus puniceus var. magnificusHaemanthus redouteanus var. subalbus
