Sprekelia
Encyclopedia
Sprekelia is a genus
of at least three bulb
ous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. They are native to Central America
. Like Hippeastrum
, these plants were known as Amaryllis
. Sprekelia plants are sometimes called "Aztec lilies", although they are not true lilies
. This genus is named after Johann Heinrich von Spreckelsen (1691–1764), who supplied the plants to Lorenz Heister
.
. Even when well grown, bulbs often do not bloom every year. In a grouping of about a dozen bulbs, only two or three may bloom in any given year.
And, for referring, the species are shown as the following:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of at least three bulb
Bulb
A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases. The leaves often function as food storage organs during dormancy.A bulb's leaf bases, known as scales, generally do not support leaves, but contain food reserves to enable the plant to survive adverse conditions. At the center of the bulb is...
ous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidoideae is the subfamily of flowering plants that takes its name from the genus Amaryllis. It is part of the family Amaryllidaceae, in order Asparagales...
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. They are native to Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. Like Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum is a genus of about 90 species and 600+ hybrids and cultivars of bulbous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas from Argentina north to Mexico and the Caribbean. Some species are grown for their large...
, these plants were known as Amaryllis
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a small genus of flowering bulbs, with two species. The better known of the two, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape...
. Sprekelia plants are sometimes called "Aztec lilies", although they are not true lilies
Lilium
Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs. Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere, though the range extends into the northern subtropics...
. This genus is named after Johann Heinrich von Spreckelsen (1691–1764), who supplied the plants to Lorenz Heister
Lorenz Heister
Lorenz Heister was a German anatomist, surgeon and botanist born in Frankfurt am Main....
.
Growth
S. formosissima is common in cultivation, planted in warm climates or raised in pots in colder climates, or planted and lifted, much as the gladiolusGladiolus
Gladiolus is a genus of perennial bulbous flowering plants in the iris family...
. Even when well grown, bulbs often do not bloom every year. In a grouping of about a dozen bulbs, only two or three may bloom in any given year.
Species
Other Sprekelia species are likely to exist, but have not yet been identified.And, for referring, the species are shown as the following:
- Sprekelia clintiae, Traub, 1965 Pl. Life 21: 64
- Sprekelia cybister, Herb., 1840 Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 1840:t. 33
- Sprekelia formosissima, L. Herb., 1821 Appendix 35
- Sprekelia glauca, Lindl., 1840 Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 65
- Sprekelia howardii, Lehmiller
- Sprekelia karwinskii, Zucc. Roem., 1847 Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. 4: 144
- Sprekelia ringens, C.Morren, 1846 Ann. Soc. Roy. Agric. Gand 2: 133, t. 60