AMARYLLIS UNDULATA.— WAVED-FLOW ERED AMARYLLIS. 
Class YL HEXANDRIA.—Order I. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order, AMARYLLIDE.E. THE NARCISSUS TRIBE. 
The name of Amaryllis is supposed to be derived from a Greek word signifying splendour ; “ and is given,” 
says Mr. Martyn, “ with great propriety, to this splendid genus.” In the flowers of this species of Amaryllis, 
a native of the Cape, and introduced about 1767, by John Blackburne, Esq., there is a considerable degree 
of beauty, and still more of singularity ; and the plant is rendered more desirable, from its producing those 
flowers towards the close of autumn, so late as October and November, and that too both readily and 
abundantly. Being a tender bulb, it is usually kept during the winter in the greenhouse, or a well-secured 
frame. Is propagated by offsets, which are plentifully produced. 
The Yellow Amaryllis, or Autumnal Narcissus, is a native of the South of France, Spain, Italy, and 
Thrace. The flowers seldom rise above four inches high; and somewhat resemble the Yellow Crocus. Like 
that, too, its leaves grow all the winter, after the flowers are past. It flowers in September, is very hardy, 
and increases fast by offsets. They may be transplanted any time from May to the end of July, but not 
later. 
This plant prefers a light dry soil, and an open situation. It must not be under the dripping of trees. 
In mild seasons, there will often be, from the same root, a succession of flowers from September to the 
middle of November. It should be kept moderately moist. The Turks frequently plant this flower about 
the graves of their deceased friends. 
The Alamasco Lily is a native of Virginia and Carolina, where it grows plentifully in the fields and 
woods, and makes a beautiful show. At their first appearance the flowers are of a fine carnation colour out- 
side, but they fade almost to white : they blow from May to July or August. 
It may be increased by offsets : the bulbs should be removed every second year, and if they begin to 
shoot while out of the earth, should be planted immediately. It should be kept moderatelymoist. 
The Jacobcea Lily- — in French, le lys de St. Jaques [St. James’s lily] ; la croix de St. Jaques [St. James’s 
cross]; la belle amarillis: and in Italian, giglio narciso giacobeo — produces its flowers two or three times in 
the year, not at any regular season. It furnishes plenty of offsets, which should be taken off every year: the 
best time is in August, that they may take good root before winter. In removing the roots, great care 
should be taken not to break off their fibres. This flower may stand abroad in the summer, but in the 
winter should be lodged in an inhabited room. It must be kept moist. 
This Lily is a native of South America : the flowers are large, of a deep red, and bend gracefully on 
one side of the stalk. Parkinson calls it the Indian Daffodil. 
The Belladonna Lily — called by the French, Us de Mexique [Mexico lily] ; la belle dame; and by the 
Italians, narciso bella donna [fine lady narcissus] — is a native of the West Indies, and grows on shady hills, 
and by the margins of streams. It is of a pale purple colour, inclining to white towards the centre. It 
was first brought to England from Portugal, and is very common in the Italian gardens, particularly in the 
neighbourhood of Florence, where it is sold in the markets under the name of Narcissus-belladonna. This 
Lily is very fragrant. It flowers about the end of September or the beginning of October, and, if the weather 
be favourable, will continue in bloom a month, or more. In June the leaves decay, and the root should be 
transplanted soon after: for, if it remains till July, it will send forth new fibres; and removal then would 
injure it. It should remain in the house in the winter, and be kept moderately moist. 
The Superb, or riband Amaryllis, is supposed to be a native of the Cape : the flowers are very beautiful ; 
a white ground striped with red. Unless hastened by artificial heat, they open in April or May. As this 
bulb rarely produces offsets, it should be procured in a pot, and treated as the last. 
The long-leaved Lily, or Amaryllis, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The flower stem is seldom 
more than four inches high, but bears a profusion of purple flowers, opening in December. It may be treated 
as the Jacobcea Lily. 
The Guernsey Lily, called in France le Its de Japan, is extremely handsome; it is a native of Japan, but 
has long been naturalized at Guernsey, from which place it is named. There are from eight to twelve flowers 
on one plant ; the circumference of each flower about seven inches. When in full beauty it has the appearance 
of a fine gold tissue wrought on a rose-coloured ground; and when it begins to fade it is pink. If beheld in 
full sunshine, it seems studded with diamonds ; but by candle-light looks rather as if it were spangled with 
fine gold-dust. When the flower begins to wither, the petals assume a deep crimson colour. The flowers 
begin to appear towards the end of August, and the head is usually three weeks gradually expanding. 
The different species of Amaryllis are more or less poisonous, and Hcmianthus toxicarius, the old A. 
toxicaria, is the plant with which it is said the Hottentots poison their arrows. Weapons wetted with the 
juice of the bulb convey certain death by the slightest wound ; dissolution is preceded by violent struggles, 
and efforts to vomit. The flesh of animals thus slain is not deteriorated, but is eaten by the natives. Nerine 
sarniensis, the Guernsey lily, which became naturalized in the islands of Jersey and Guernsey many years 
ago, by the wreck of a vessel from the Cape, is also reputed to be poisonous. Amaryllis ornata is said to be 
astringent ; Alstroemeria salsilla is considered useful as a diuretic and diaphoretic : and A. Ligtu is esteemed 
for its scent, it being as grateful as mignionette. A. salsilla is cultivated in the West Indies and in America, 
