Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus flowers and leaves

Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus is a perennial bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family that grows usually two, sometimes three semi-erect leaves and a flower scape annually. Leaf shape is broadly elliptic and the leaves have no midribs. In the photo the leaves come to pointed tips. The leaves are sparsely to densely hairy and so is the sturdy reddish peduncle. The leaves and the inflorescence appear more or less at the same time.

The many small, pale pink flowers in the dense head grow in a flattish to somewhat rounded head, an umbel. The filaments and anthers are exserted far above the tips of their perianths. Flowering happens in late spring and summer. A spherical berry of cream or orange colour follows.

The plants are usually found among rocks in shady spots. This plant was seen in the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area late in November (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Lowrey and Wright, 1987).