Haemanthus species D-L are found on this wiki page.
Haemanthus A-C – Haemanthus M-Z
Haemanthus deformis is an evergreen plant found in shade and on moist rocky banks in the Kwa Zulu-Natal. It has thick, flat, leaves that persist for over a year. New leaves appear after the white flowers. Flowering time is May to October. The first photo was taken by Cameron McMaster. The next three were taken by Mary Sue Ittner December 2005 when a plant purchased from Cameron bloomed. The following two are of a Margate form from Jacob Knecht.
Haemanthus humilis is represented by many small, varying populations. The species has round or compressed bulbs with even tunics and lax unspotted leaves that range from smooth to densely hairy. Flowers are white or deep pink with stamens well exserted or equal in length to the segments. Flowers are mostly present with the leaves or appear slightly before.
There is a miniature form growing near King Williams Town with tiny flower heads on stems less than 20cm in height, which we call 'Dwarf'’. Photos from Cameron McMaster show the habitat, flower, and fruit.
The most spectacular form is one we call 'Giant' which we observed with binoculars growing on a steep cliff in full shade on the opposite bank of the Great Kei River. It has leaves as large as 60cm in diameter and it has an enormous flower head. Photos by Cameron McMaster show the habitat, the flowers, the leaves, and the fruit.
The next three photos were taken by Mary Sue Ittner of plants obtained from Cameron showing the buds and the flower starting to open next to the start of new hairy leaves.
Two other noteworthy variations in the Eastern Cape are an early flowering form from the Graaff Reinet area of the central Karoo. This form has small cerise flowers with bright yellow stamens and is very, very attractive. We have also collected seed from an almost white form with hairy leaves growing in Acacia thicket in the Stutterheim district. This form has stamens the same length as the perianth tube so seems intermediate between the two subspecies. The second photo below illustrates it. Photos by Cameron McMaster. The last two photos show the habitat and a form from the Thomas River, Eastern Cape.
Photos by Cameron McMaster showing a variety from Rhodes.
Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus This is the first Haemanthus to bloom this summer (2003) here in the So. Calif. garden of Doug Westfall. There will be more in the months to follow. Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus is distinguished from Haemanthus humilis subsp. humilis by having exserted stamens and hairy leaves. Leaves are borne with flowers. The first photo is from Doug Westfall and the second from Cameron McMaster. The third and forth are of a particularly furry clone from near Belfast, from Jacob Knecht.
Haemanthus humilis subsp. humilis is widespread but occurs in isolated and localised populations in specialised habitats, which is probably the reason for the variation between populations. It has fairly flat leaves and flowers in the wild in January and is deciduous. Photo from Cameron McMaster. The second photo is of a pot of nine month old seedlings grown in Honolulu, Hawai`i by Jacob Knecht.
Haemanthus hybrid Seed was received from Doug Westfall of Haemanthus albiflos. One seemed different and is probably a hybrid. It has two mostly evergreen leaves and now that it has bloomed pink flower. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Haemanthus 'King Albert' is an old hybrid between Haemanthus coccineus and Haemanthus albiflos. Its growth habit and flowering time follow the coccineus parent. Grown and photographed by Rob Hamilton.
Haemanthus index – Haemanthus A-C – Haemanthus M-Z
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