Fireball lily, Powder-puff lily
Scadoxus mutiflorus

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 70 m tall. The bulbs are a flattened round shape. They are white with red stains. The false stem is fleshy and sturdy. It is 2.5 cm across. It is white with purple spots. The leaves are strap shaped and they have wavy edges. They are arranged in spirals. The flowers are in a round group 15 cm across. They are on stalk 60 cm long that comes from the base. The flowers are pink to red. The fruit are very small berries. The seeds are soft.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland, savannah woodland and coastal sands. It grows up to 2,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo R, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, SE Asia, Singapore, South Africa (country/location of origin), West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds, offsets or bulbs.

Its other names

Local names

Bunga desember, Lili bola api

Synonyms

Amaryllis multiflora (Martyn) Tratt.; Haemanthus multiflorus Martyn; Nerissa multiflorus (Martyn) Salisb. [Invalid];