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Glite Dictionary
Haemanthus coccineus

Haemanthus coccineus

9.9
A South African bulb plant with large flat leaves and bright red flower heads
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Haemanthus coccineus
  • Gardeners cherish Haemanthus coccineus for its striking coral-red flower heads and large, prostrate leaves.

Examples

  • The Haemanthus coccineus produced its bright red flower heads after the first rains of autumn.

  • Gardeners value Haemanthus coccineus for its unusual foliage and vibrant blooms.

  • In its native habitat, Haemanthus coccineus thrives in well-drained, sandy soil.

  • The Haemanthus coccineus blooms beautifully in spring.

  • I saw a Haemanthus coccineus at the botanical garden.

  • In sunny gardens, Haemanthus coccineus showcases its vibrant blooms, attracting pollinators during springtime.

  • The stunning coral-red flowers of Haemanthus coccineus are a highlight in any collection of South African plants.

Synonyms

blood lily
vsHaemanthus coccineus
  • South African
9.9

A plant with bright red, round flowers

is a single species with prostrate patterned leaves and fleshy bracts around showy heads

Surface Forms

Haemanthus coccineus singular
Haemanthus coccineuses plural
Haemanthus coccinei singular

Morphology

Haemanthus + coccineus

This is a Linnaean binomial combining the genus name Haemanthus (a flowering-plant genus) with a descriptive species epithet (coccineus, a Latin adjective meaning ‘scarlet/red’). If a learner knows both constituents, the name transparently denotes a Haemanthus with red/coral flowers, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Haemanthus coccineus comes from old words: haema meaning 'blood' and anthus meaning 'flower', and coccineus meaning 'scarlet'. The plant's bright red, coral flower heads look like drops of blood on its leaves, so the name helps you remember it is a red-flowering plant.