Blood Lily

Blood Lily Facts

• The unique and truly remarkable Blood Lily represents a rather fascinating plant that has a background that may surprise you.
• This remarkable species actually lists as a member of the Amaryllis family and ranks as the most widely spread species of its family.
• Because of its unique appearance, it makes for a beautiful ornamental plant and is often used by gardeners for that exact purpose.
• Indigenous People have used the plant in native medicines which, however, actually can be quite toxic if not produced and utilized properly.
• Another use was in creating poison arrows. Talk about a deadly beauty.

  

Blood Lily Physical Description

The stunning Blood Lily constitutes both a perennial and an evergreen. Nature loves diversity. These will grow from either rhizomes or bulbs. Individuals will reach a height of nearly 10 in (25.4 cm).

The leaves grow large and thin, and stay green throughout the year. The flower heads develop rather uniquely and develop a bright red color. Each head also consists of nearly 200 small flowers. Each plant grows one head only.

The bloom, unfortunately, has a short lifespan of fewer than two weeks.

Many berries develop after the bloom and remain small and numerous. These begin as green and slowly redden.

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Monocots

Order: Asparagales

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Genus: Scaxodus

Species: S. multiflorus

Blood Lily Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The Blood Lily remains native to both sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and has also been spread all the way to Mexico.

Its numbers presently appear stable but habitat loss poses a potential threat. The Blood Lily typically grows in tropical forests where it prefers moist areas of shade.

The plants in temperate regions generally spread via bulbs. The tropical populations generally spread via rhizomes, and usually appear in well-drained areas.

The lovely plants appear to be quite adaptable.

Remember the alkaloids they contain? These luckily also protect them from most animal pests.

Check out our other articles on Pine Lily, Canna Lily, Amazon Lily, Bleeding Heart Vine, Scythian Lamb