Amaryllis belladonna L. var. blanda

Horticultural & Botanical History

Amarylis blanda was first botanically described by Ker Gawler in 1812 [BM t.1450/1812]. Most likely a form of Amaryllis belladonna L., but see the historical notes below.

It was reportedly gathered in the Cape of Good Hope by Sir Joseph Banks, but had earlier been collected by van Royen of Holland and sent to Miller at the Chelsea Physic Garden in 1754.  [BM t.1450/1812].  Herbert, however, was of the view that these plants ‘were the pale belladonna [i.e. pallida], and not blanda.  The leaves of blanda are much more erect, strongly ribbed and nerved, and vaginate more; its constitution is much tenderer.’  [Herbert]. 

Worsley speculated that Amaryllis blanda is a naturally occurring Brunsdonna. i.e. hybrid between Amaryllis belladonna and Brunsvigia sp. [GC p.349/1928], but as Creasey pointed out, these plants do not usually grow in proximity to one another so this seems unlikely.  [Herbertia p.214/1939].  Also, all recorded first crosses between Amaryliis belladonna and Brunsvigia sp. exhibit much more of the Brunsvigia character, particularly in the flower shape, than does blanda.  However, a naturally occurring hybrid remains a possibility. 

Hannibal has suggested that multiflora hybrids of Amaryllis belladonna, exemplified by x Amarygia parkeri, which Amaryllis blanda somewhat resembles, may be hybrids between A. belladonna and Cybistetes longifolia.  [Australian Garden Journal. p.44, winter 1994].  This is also unlikely to be true, for reasons given in the discussion of x Amarygia parkeri.  [See x Amarygia parkeri (W.Watson) H.E.Moore ‘Ameliae’]. 

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.36/1850]. 

Notes