From the name of a nymph in Greek mythology celebrated by the poet Virgil.

A single-species genus: for genus description see A. belladonna.

Like many of this family the bulbs contain toxic alkaloids. The name 'Amaryllis' has been used botanically and is still commonly used horticulturally for what are correctly called Hippeastrum.

Border plants grown in sun or semi-shade.

Flowering without leaves; trumpet-shaped fragrant usually pink (purple to white) flowers facing more or less the same direction.

2 species in southern Africa: Namaqualand and Western Cape.

Source: Spencer, R.; Hay, A.; Ashburner, W. (2005). Amaryllidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.