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White Paint Brush
Haemanthus albiflos
SA tree number
English: White Paint Brush, White Haemanthus
Afrikaans: Witpoeierkwas, Poeierkwas, Velskoenblaar
Xhosa: Umathunga
Zulu: Uzaneke
Synonyms: Haemanthus albomaculatus
Haemanthus albiflos, often called the White Paint Brush, is a super interesting bulbous plant that can grow up to about 250 mm high when its flowers are showing. It's one of the few evergreen Haemanthus species, meaning its leaves stick around all year! Its upper bulb often sits exposed above the ground and is a bright green colour.
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Distinguishing features:
Evergreen leaves (unlike most Haemanthus species which are deciduous).
Upper half of the bulb is usually exposed and bright green.
Flower heads are compact, usually 30-50 mm wide, with numerous erect, narrow white flowers.
Stamens protrude noticeably beyond the flowers and turn bright yellow or orange.
Ripe fruits are bright orange or red, fleshy berries with a distinctive musty odour.
Overall appearance:
A bulbous perennial herb with a single, erect flower stalk and a few basal leaves.
Height:
Typically grows to 30-50 cm in height, including the flower stalk.
Width:
The leaves can spread 20-30 cm wide.
Leaves:
The leaves are basal, meaning they grow from the base of the plant. They are usually 2-4 in number, large, broad, and strap-shaped to oblong, 20-30 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. They are a bright green colour and have a smooth texture.
Flowers:
The flowers are borne in a dense, spherical head (umbel) at the top of the flower stalk. The flower head can be 5-8 cm in diameter and contains numerous individual flowers. The flowers are pure white, with prominent yellow anthers (pollen-producing parts) that add to the "brush" effect.
Flowering season:
Autumn and winter (typically April to August in South Africa).
Fruits:
Most attractive bright orange or red fleshy berry (1-2 cm)
Produces a distinctive musty odour
Ovoid to globose (egg-shaped to spherical)
Each berry has a few egg-shaped, fleshy, red, green or opalescent seeds
Seeds:
Egg-shaped
Fleshy
Red, green or opalescent (milky or pearly lustre)
Contains a large, green embryo
Seeds have plenty of reserves, so seedlings develop quickly
Short life span, should be sown immediately
Stems:
Flower head is held aloft on a thick, fleshy stem known as a scape.
Bulbs:
True bulb as its storage organ
Large
Surrounded by fleshy tunics (outer layers) that are often two-ranked and scale-like
Upper half of the bulb is usually exposed above ground and is bright green
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soil, such as sandy or loam soils.
Aspect:
Prefers partial shade to shade.
Ecology:
One of only three evergreen Haemanthus species.
Flowers are probably pollinated by honey bees.
When ripe, berries drop to the ground where the pulpy layer disintegrates, and seeds germinate almost immediately.
Leaves are sometimes attacked by the dreaded lily borer (also known as amaryllis caterpillar).
Distribution and habitat:
Endemic to South Africa.
Has a wide, mainly coastal distribution.
Found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces.
Spans both the winter and summer rainfall regions along South Africa's eastern seaboard.
Grows in coastal and riverine forest, thornveld, and valley bushveld.
Prefers light to deep shade.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Haemanthus means 'blood flower' from the Greek "haima" (blood) and "anthos" (flower), referring to the red flowers of some other species in the genus.
The species name albiflos means 'white flower', referring to the white flowers of this specific species.
Historical aspects:
It was first described and illustrated by N.J. Jacquin in 1797 from material collected from the Cape.
Interesting facts:
This plant is so chilled out, it's rated as "Least Concern" on the SANBI Red List – meaning it's doing well and not under immediate threat!
Even though the genus name means 'blood flower', Haemanthus albiflos decided to be a bit different and sport white blooms!
If you plant this beauty, prepare for a surprise or two – its leaves can be smooth OR hairy, and even have yellowish spots! It likes to keep you guessing.
Growing tips:
It likes to remain undisturbed for many years once established.
Plant the greenish bulbs with the upper half exposed and the thick fleshy roots spread out horizontally over the medium.
Plants like to become pot-bound and mature bulbs flower reliably every year.
Only needs to be divided every seven or eight years when flowering performance starts to diminish.
Seeds should be sown evenly in deep seed trays in a medium of equal parts finely milled bark or finely sifted compost, coarse river sand, and loam, covered with a very thin layer (3-4 mm).
Water well with a fine rose and place trays in a shaded position protected from heavy rain, keeping moist by watering every two weeks.
Germination can take several months.
Seedlings should stay in trays for two years and can be planted out in spring of their third season.
Offset bulbs are best separated from thick clumps in early spring when temperatures rise, ensuring each offset has good roots.
Replant offsets as soon as possible and keep well shaded until established.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
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Plant family (derivation)