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Cyrtanthus falcatus (Cyrtanthus falcatus)

Description

Cyrtanthus falcatus, the falcate fire lily, is a species of flowering plant in the amaryllis family Amaryllidaceae from the Natal region of South Africa. A bulbous perennial growing to 30 cm (12 in), it has glossy, strap-shaped leaves and erect burgundy-coloured stems. These bear umbels of 8-10 narrowly-flared, pendulous tubular flowers in shades of red, green and cream in spring and summer. The umbels are bent over in a curious crook or sickle shape (hence The Latin specific epithet falcatus, “shaped like a sickle”). The plant goes dormant in winter. The bulb, shaped like a bowling pin, rests with its neck above the soil line.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Liliopsida

          • Order: Asparagales

            • Family: Amaryllidaceae

              • Genus: Cyrtanthus