Amaryllis paradisicola explained

Amaryllis paradisicola is a species of bulbous perennial plant from South Africa.

Classification

Amaryllis paradisicola was described by Dierdré A. Snijman in 1998 in a paper in the journal Bothalia.[1] It is one of only two species in the genus Amaryllis, the other being Amaryllis belladonna, from further south in South Africa.[2]

Description

Amaryllis paradisicola flowers in April, producing a group of 10–21 Narcissus-scented flowers, arranged in a ring.[1] They begin purple–pink in colour, and become darker over time.[3] It has broader leaves than A. belladonna, longer stamens and a more deeply divided trifid stigma.[1]

Distribution

Amaryllis paradisicola is known from two populations comprising fewer than 2000 individuals. They grow on shady quartzite cliffs in the Richtersveld National Park, near the town of Vioolsdrif, Northern Cape.[4] This is a much drier and cooler environment than that enjoyed by A. belladonna in the Western Cape.[3] Although it occurs only in a protected area, A. paradisicola is considered a vulnerable species on the Red List of South African Plants, because of the potential effects of damage by baboons.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. D. A. Snijman & G. Williamson . 1998 . A new species of Amaryllis from the Richtersveld, South Africa . . 28 . 192–196. 10.4102/abc.v28i2.640 . free .
  2. Book: Helga Urban . Marion Nickig . 2009 . Schön, aber gefährlich . Beautiful but dangerous . Books on Demand . 9783837039160 . Amaryllis belladonna . 54–55 . https://books.google.com/books?id=fm-A6NcrDMgC&pg=PA55 . German.
  3. Web site: Amaryllis paradisicola . Jim Lykos . October 13, 2006 . . September 26, 2012.
  4. Web site: Amaryllis paradisicola Snijman . D. A. Snijman . J. E. Victor . D. Raimondo . 2007 . National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2012.1 . September 26, 2012.