Haemanthus sanguineus
Description
A bulbous plant about 300 mm high with two to three large - rounded leaves flat on the ground (like the soles of a shoe) that appear after flowering. The stout - red - flowering stem - often compressed and furrowed - bears the "paint-brush" flowerhead. This consists of a cup of about eight red bracts with numerous pink to red flowers crowded in the centre.Bulb extracts are used for the treatment of internal wounds and for the treatment of broken bones, sprained ankles and other joint issues (Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation. 2015. The Wild Harvesting of Plant Medicines in Cape Town.)
Also known as blood lily | paintbrush lily | April Fool lily
Sources and references
Scientific name
Haemanthus sanguineus
Common name(s)
Blood flower
Features
- It provides medicinal value
- Suitable for clay soil
- This will attract honey bees
- Will attract sunbirds