Scadoxus multiflorus subsp multiflorus

Scadoxus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus, formerly known as Haemanthus multiflorus, is a rare and frost-tender bulbous plant native to tropical and southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its flowering often occurs before the foliage development, in large bristly clusters of small vermilion to dark pink frayed flowers. They emerge from a basal rosette that unfurls into large leaves resembling those of banana plants. This tropical plant, with a highly exotic appearance, will create magnificent flowering pots of a rare red colour that is easy on the eyes. It should be grown in a greenhouse or in areas of our country where the temperature never drops below 5 °C (41°F).

Scadoxus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. In its natural habitat, it grows in shady and humid areas, on the edges of tropical forests in southwest Africa, in the humus accumulated between rocks or on termite mounds. It develops from a large fleshy bulb that also produces rhizomes. The flowering observed in cultivation in our climates occurs in nature from the beginning to the end of summer, from October to December. The inflorescence, unique, is an umbel carried by a fleshy stem, marbled with brown and purple, 45 cm (18in) tall. The umbel gathers 50 to 150 small spidery flowers consisting of very thin tubes with a star-shaped corolla less than 1 cm (0in) long, protruding prominent stamens and pistils. The anthers form small white dots contrasting with the brilliant cluster of flowers. The whole is scarlet red, then fades gently to a lighter incarnate red. The leaves and flowers can appear together, but the leaves often develop once the 'flower' has bloomed. The bases of the leaves stems, and petioles are sheathed together, forming a false stem or pseudo-trunk measuring 5 to 35 cm (2 to 14in) long. The leaves are arranged in a rosette, unfurling at the top of the false stem, giving the plant the appearance of a small banana plant. They are lanceolate, slightly undulated at the edges, shiny green, and entire.

Scadoxus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus will make magnificent potted plants. Its use in open ground is almost impossible in our climates unless this plant is considered an annual.