Blood Lily

Did you know

• The blood lily produces a spectacular spherical umbel of up to 200 individual flowers, resembling a fireworks explosion frozen in time.
• Flowers appear before or alongside the leaves, which is unusual among bulbous plants and makes the bloom look even more dramatic.
• The bulb and plant are toxic, containing lycorine and related alkaloids — the same compounds found in daffodils and snowdrops.
• In parts of Africa, the plant's toxic compounds are used in arrow poison preparations and in traditional fishing practices to stun fish.
• The name Scadoxus comes from Greek skiadion (parasol) and doxa (glory), perfectly describing the umbrella-like flower head.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental
• container plant