The Amaryllis Belladonna
A photo journey of blossoming
I was gifted an amaryllis bulb by my gardener, Tomas, last summer. Unpretentious for much of the year, the plant lies dormant, tucked away under the earth. But when spring begins to warm the dirt which cradles it, it pokes it head up, ready to burst into bloom and dazzle the world with its beauty.
Amaryllis belladonna, is native of the Western Cape region of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest area between the Olifants River Valley and Knysna. Although they are often called “Belladonna Lilies,” they are only distantly related to the true lily, Lilium, family. In the Victorian Language of Flowers (see Plant symbolism), amaryllis means “pride.”
One waxy flower erupts at a time from the thick neck of green holding it up. In the photo below, you can see the blossom on the left beginning to open.
Its stamen begin to unfurl, not yet coated with pollen powder, but nascent with potentiality.
