Homeland Hippeastrum - South America. These amazing flowers belong to the bulbous family, their relatives: lilies, amaryllis, gladioli.
To the same family belong hyacinths, tulips and daffodils.
In appearance, many varieties of hippeastrum are very similar to amaryllis.
The most noticeable difference is in flowering time: it is autumn for amaryllis, and the end of winter and spring for hippeastrum. Unlike amaryllis, hippeastrum flower stalks are hollow.
Types (varieties, varieties) and photos
There are more than eighty known species of the genus Hippeastrum (Nippeastrum). The name of the genus is derived from two Greek words meaning "horseman" and "star". Every year there are all new hybrids of various shapes, colors and sizes.
Amaryllis Belladonna
Amaryllis belladonna (Amaryllis belladonna) belongs to the same family as the gippeastrum, but to a different type. As a result of crossing, flower growers received many hybrids, which are usually attributed not to amaryllis, but to hippeastrum (Hippeastrum).
Leopold (Nippeastrum leopoldii)
His homeland is Peru, where this plant is found on the slopes of the Andes. The inflorescence is large, with flowers dark green throat and petals combining white and cherry areas.
Regina (Nippeastrum reginae)
Another name is Royal. On the peduncle 2-4 flowers are located, possessing a rich bright red color and regular shape.
Angustifolium
Homeland - southern Brazil. It is also found in some parts of Paraguay and Uruguay.
It is remembered by bright orange-red flowers of unusual shape. Their petals are so heavily carved that the flower is visually divided into upper and lower halves. The tips of the upper petals of an unfolded flower are strongly curved back and sideways.
On one shoot can bloom from 5 to 9 flowers.
Palace (aulicum)
This epiphyte is common in Paraguay and Central Brazil. The flowers are rather large, the petals are bright red with an orange tinge, with a lighter central vein. The neck of flowers is light green.
Dorana (doraniae)
Homeland - the area near the Orinoco River. Inflorescences smell very nice. They are bright pink in color, with a white stripe visible in the center. Flowering time: April - May.
Argentine (argentinum)
His homeland - the slopes of the Argentine Andes. White flowers with pointed petals are remembered for amazing delicate aroma.
Striped (vittatum)
On the white petals in the center are bright red streaks, shaped like raised bird wings. The throat of flowers is light yellow.
Pug-shaped (psittacinum)
The birthplace of this species is the forest of southern Brazil. Flowers are characterized by a bright middle with a color transition from green to yellow and white, the tips of the petals are bright red. From the bright central vein to the outer edge of the petals are thin, very bright stripes.
On the peduncle is most common from 2 to 4 flowers.
Mesh (reticulatum)
Homeland - South Brazil. The most common variety is with pale pink petals. Other coloring options: dark pink or bright red flower with dark veins on the petals, which form a pattern like mesh cells. It is one of the species with a delicate aroma.
On the stem can be from 3 to 5 flowers.
Hybrids and their classification
Among flower growers, several wild-growing species of hippeastrum are cultivated.
On their basis, breeders created many hybrids that differ in size and shape of petals, their color, height of adult plants and other characteristics.
The American Amaryllis Society has developed a classification of amaryllis, gippeastrum and their hybrids.
The first group includes all wild cultivated species. They are followed by 8 groups of hybrid plants.
According to this classification, the following groups of hypeastrum hybrids are distinguished:
- Long tubular.
- Perianth tube length from 11 to 15 cm. Flowers from this subgroup often have a strong aroma, which is uncharacteristic for most hippeastrum.
- Hybrids with Amaryllis Belladonna.
- Hybrids with a famous variety: Regina.
- Hybrids with a famous variety: Leopold.
- 3 and 4 types are characterized by the correct shape of flowers, usually quite large.
- Hybrids with orchid-like flowers.
- Their distinguishing feature is deep, rich colors: wine-red, dark pink.
- Terry.
- If ordinary hippeastrum has six petals, then terry varieties can boast of a much more lush perianth:
- Semi-double (semidouble) - from 9 to 11 petals.
- Terry (double) - from 12 to 17 petals.
- Super-doubles (superdouble) with the number of petals from 18 and above.
- Miniature flowers.
This category includes hybrids, in which the diameter of a fully open flower is less than 12 cm. Other names: small-flowered, miniature.
- Other hybrids not related to the listed groups.
REFERENCE: The florists of Holland, Japan, and South African countries have adopted their own system of designations for the flowers of the hippeastrum, depending on the size.
For example, in South Africa, the smallest flowers (less than 6 cm) are called "solo", followed by: sonatini (6-10 cm), sonata (10-16 cm), symphony (larger than 16 cm).
Conclusion
Many types of hippeastrum have a faint smell and cannot cause allergies.
It is easy to care for them.
If you know the rules of breeding and follow them, you will get a real feast during the flowering period of these plants.
Your loved ones will probably feel a surge of inspiration, their well-being will improve, and the mood will remain joyful and positive.
Among the variety of hippeastrum you can always choose the ones that bring you the most joy. Their unusual colors, shapes and patterns will decorate any room and add a bit of exotic to it.
