Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium

25/12/2012

Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium (Herb.) Herb. 1837 is a bulbous plant belonging to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to South Brazil.


The tropical plants reach heights of about 50 cm. Flowers get a size of about 20 cm in diameter. Plants from the genus Hippeastrum are often called Amaryillis, which is not correct in the sense of the sience of botany. The difference of both genera is quite simple. Plants from the genus Amaryllis are native to South Africa, whilst Hippeastrum plants are endemic to South America. Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium has dark green leaves with a white or creamy line in the center. The leaves seen in bottom of our image do not belong to this plant, but to another Hippeastrum nearby.


The Hippeastrum genus contains about 90 species and there are more than 600 hybrids known. In the 18. century Dutch breeders started developing cultivars and hybrids from plants imported from South America, most of them wrongly called Amaryllis. Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium is suitable to be grown indoors as a container plant. Bulbs flower about six to eight weeks after planting. Best time to plant is from October to January with a temperature of about 20°C. To extend the flowering period, blooming plants should be moved to a cooler place with 15–18°C. Due to their flowering period and their showy big flowers, Hippeastrum and Amaryllis plants are popular Christmas gifts.



Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium
Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium

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