Scadoxus , a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family, is found in tropical Africa. There are 9 species. Three are found in the well watered areas of the summer rainfall area of South Africa and two are found in the Cape. This genus was long regarded as a subgenus of Haemanthus, but because there are differences in the number of chromosomes, the foliage, and the rootstock, it is now treated as a distinct genus. Most species favor semishade and can be grown from seed.
Scadoxus cinnabarinus is primarily found in the rain forests of Cameroons. This one is owned and in the garden of Doug Westfall. It must have rather warm and humid growing conditions with the temperature never dropping below 45 degrees F. At the same time, it is very sensitive to bright sun which will burn the leaves. It is one of the "most rare" of the Scadoxus and I feel "privileged" to own this one.
Scadoxus membranaceus is the smallest of the known Scadoxus. It is native to the southeastern Cape where it is found in coastal sand. It always catches the eye, but is not widely grown. They do well in filtered shade and often do not go into dormancy. This one is growing in the So. Calif garden of Doug Westfall.
Photos from Cameron McMaster of flowers and fruit.
Scadoxus multiflorus ssp. katherinae is a robust plant thea gows in coastal and swamp forest in the Eastern Cape. It has deep pinkinsh red flowers and is one of the most common and easily grown Scadoxus. This subspecies has a very short to no dormancy in cultivation. It multiplies rather rapidly by rhizomes which separate easily from the parent bulb. The first photo was taken by Doug Westfall and the second by Sheila Burrow. The third picture from Mary Sue Ittner is of the leaves.
Scadoxus nutans blooms in a rather unique manner. It splits the pseudostem near the base and sends out the short flower stem and scape. That is the same way that the new pseudostem appears by splitting the old one and sending out the new. This species is from southwestern Ethiopia. Photo by Doug Westfall.
Scadoxus puniceus is found along the coast and in river valleys, in subtropical thicket in the southern to south east Cape to tropical Africa. These photos taken in the Eastern Cape by Cameron McMaster show it growing in different habitats.
Photo by Mary Sue Ittner shows the emerging leaf shoot which is very attractive.
Scadoxus puniceus 'Alba' This is a rather rare Scadoxus. I have owned it for about 10 years. This year, I have grown a seedling which is white. Previous seedlings have been the "normal" color. It always attracts attention and gets comments. Photo by Doug Westfall
Scadoxus puniceus 'Natalensis' grown in a 12" pot in Doug Westfall's Southern California garden. Acquired about four years ago as a seedling. 25 inches tall from the soil, flower stalk 1 3/4 in. thick/wide. This is the "normal" color for natalensis; S. p. magnificus is usually lighter in color. The second picture is with another background.
Return to the PBS wiki Photographs And Information page