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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Hippeastrum is a genus of about 70-75 species and 600+ hybrids and cultivars of bulbous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas from Argentina north to Mexico and the Caribbean. Some species are grown for their large showy flowers. These plants are popularly but erroneously known as Amaryllis, which is an African genus, in the same family.
Hippeastrum bulbs are 3–11 cm diameter, and produce three to seven long-lasting (sometimes evergreen) leaves 10–60 cm long and 1–5 cm broad. The flower stem is erect, 5–60 cm tall, 1–3 cm in diameter, and hollow. Depending on the species, it bears two to fifteen large flowers at the apex, each flower 10–20 cm broad, with six brightly coloured tepals (three outer sepals and three inner petals, of similar appearance).
Hippeastrum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Hypercompe indecisa.
Hippeastrum is a very popular bulb flower for indoor growing. The bulb is tender and should not be exposed to frost, but is otherwise easy to grow, with large rewards for small efforts, especially those that bloom inside during the winter months. The very large, decorative flowers can also be grown outside with minimal care in temperate areas.
"Hippeastrum" is Latin for "horseman's star" (also known today as "knight's star") and was chosen by the Honorable Reverend William Herbert in 1837. No one is entirely sure why he picked this name although buds on the verge of opening do look something like a horse's ear and clearly the blossoms do resemble six-pointed stars.
The first commercial breeders of hippeastrums were Dutch growers who imported several species from Mexico and South America and began developing cultivars and hybrids from them in the 18th century; the first of these reached North America early in the 19th century. In 1946 two Dutch growers moved to the Union of South Africa and began cultivation there. Although most hippeastrums come from the Dutch and South African sources, bulbs are now being developed in the United States, Japan, Israel, India, Brazil and Australia. The double flowers from Japan are particularly beautiful.
In general, Dutch bulbs produce a flower spike first, then, after it has finished blooming, the plant will begin growing leaves. Bulbs from the South African growers usually put up a flower spike and leaves at the same time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippeastrum for further information.
Post Processing Information
The original photo was a macro of a red Amaryllis which I grew indoors. I have edited and adjusted the curves in colour, lighting & luminosity and increased the colour saturation. Sharpened and applied a soft frame before resizing for web. |
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