Hippeastrum leopoldii explained

Hippeastrum leopoldii is a flowering perennial herbaceous bulbous plant, in the family Amaryllidaceae, distributed from Peru to Bolivia.

Taxonomy

Described by Thomas Moore in 1870.

Etymology

Named in honour of King Leopold II of Belgium, upon his visit to the Royal Horticultural Society exhibition in South Kensington in 1870 .

Cultivation

H. leopoldii has played an important part in Hippeastrum breeding programmes, resulting in the so-called Leopoldii hybrids, the most important of which was 'John Heal'.

Sources

• Web site: Hippeastrum leopoldii. 28 March 2014. The Plant List . 2012.
• GBIF: Hippeastrum leopoldii
• Read, V.M. (2004). Hippeastrum the gardener's amaryllis: 1–296. Timber Press, Portland, Cambridge.
• International Bulb Society: Hippeastrum leopoldii (image)
• Tropicos: Hippeastrum leopoldii