Haemanthus coccineus

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Botanical Name

Haemanthus coccineus

Family

Amaryllidaceae - The amaryllis family.

Pronunciation

hem-AN-thus kok-SIN-ee-us

Common Name(s)

English: April Fool; Blood Flower; King-of-candia; Paintbrush; Paintbrush Lily; Shaving Brush

Afrikaans: Bergajuin; Bloedblom; Bobbejaansool; Koning-van-kandië; Maartblom; Misryblom; Poeierkwas; Rooikwas; Seeroogblom; Skeerkwas; Skoensole; Velskoenblaar

IsiXhosa: umathunga; intlolokotshane; isititibala; inkuphulwana; umaweni

IsiZulu: Uzeneke

Plant Group

Bulb / Corm / Rhizome / Tuber / Epigeal bulb Bulbs: are made up of fleshy scales as in an onion Corm: a short, swollen, underground stem that is hard and not fleshy as in a gladiolus Tuber: a solid, fleshy, underground, storage organ as in a potato Rhizome: an underground, horizontal, swollen stem at the base of the plant as in an iris Epigeal bulb: bulbs that rest above the ground with only the roots anchoring the plant to the earth as in albuca

Plant Size

Small to Medium

Tree 8m to 15m

Shrub 75cm to 1m

Perennial/ground cover 20cm to 40cm

Bulb 30cm to 40cm

Succulent 20cm to 40cm

Position

Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.

General Information

Attractive fruits, berries or seeds Brightly coloured fruits or berries increase and extend the visual impact of the plant and are especially attractive to birds and other small wildlife.
Deciduous Plants which completely lose their foliage for part of the year.
Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Although the habitats of Haemanthus coccineus are widespread and variable, this plant is restricted to areas of winter rainfall with dry summers. It is dormant during the summer months when all above ground parts dry out, preventing moisture loss and stress on the plant. The flower head appears just before the rainy season is due to start and is soon followed by fleshy, translucent berries containing 1 - 3 pale to deep pink seeds. Once mature, the stem keels over and the seed germinates immediately, coinciding with the first rains. This adaptation allows the seedlings to grow strong enough to withstand the dry summer that follows. The two, or occasionally three, strap-like leaves, usually, but not always, appear after flowering has taken place. The leaves are highly variable in shape, size, colour and markings, being elliptical to strap-shaped, partially erect to prostrate, and most often with varying degrees of red or dark green markings on the undersides. The leaves die down from the end of winter to the beginning of spring.

Haemanthus coccineus may be found growing in large groups, small clumps or as solitary plants.

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Flowers

Description

a flower head comprising of 6-9 stiff, spathe valves surrounding 25-100 tiny flowers, on a fleshy stem which may be reddish, or blotched, streaked or spotted with red markings, or occasionally unmarked

Season

Summer to Autumn Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

scarlet
coral
red

Growth Rate

Slow Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
Interplanting Arranging and planting plants in the garden that have different blooming times and habits of growth, extending the amount of time in which the area is in flower.
Pot Plant A plant that needs a protected environment on a patio or indoors.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape as well as southern Namibia, in predominantly winter rainfall areas, from sea level to 1 200m, with annual rainfall ranging from 100 - 1100 mm, in a wide range of soil types, in coastal scrub, on rocky slopes, Karooid veld, fynbos and Renosterveld, in rock crevices, shaded kloofs and on flats in the shelter of shrubs and bushes

Planting Suggestions

Haemanthus seeds have a very short viability period and should be planted as soon as they are harvested. Plant in deep seed trays as the young plants will remain in them for at least two years. Use a very well-drained, sandy medium mixed with some fine compost. The seed is pressed gently into the soil with just the top of the seed still visible. Water well and then withhold water until the first leaves appear, after which water the seeds well once every two to three weeks. At the approach of spring when the leaves begin to yellow, withhold watering altogether until the leaves reappear after the dormant summer period. After 2 - 3 years the young bulbs may be trans-planted.

In areas other than winter rainfall regions it is best to plant Haemanthus into large, deep pots which will hold the mature plants, so that watering can be controlled. Haemanthus do not like to be disturbed so do not repot for some years and then only if the plants are showing signs of stress.

Where plants are to be set out in the garden, careful thought must be taken before planting. Good drainage, some protection, visibility when in flower and a water wise position where the plants are not affected by artificial watering systems will need to be considered so that once settled, they are not disturbed.

Good news for those gardeners plagued by the ever voracious molerats: the bulbs contain poisonous elements and are not eaten by these frustrating pests.

Medicinal Uses

The sliced bulb, boiled in vinegar and mixed with honey, was used as a diuretic, as an expectorant and to treat Asthma. Fresh leaves were applied as a dressing to septic wounds, ulcers and sores and also to the pustules of anthrax. The bulb contains the alkaloide coccinine and should be used with caution as this substance has a known to cause convulsion.

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Author: Lorraine Solomon