Amaryllis () is a small
genus of flowering
bulbs, with two species. The better known of the two,
Amaryllis belladonna, is a
native of the
Western Cape region of
South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest area between the
Olifants River Valley to
Knysna. For many years there was confusion among botanists over the generic names
Amaryllis and
Hippeastrum, one result of which is that the common name "amaryllis" is mainly used for
cultivars of the genus
Hippeastrum, widely sold in the winter months for their ability to
bloom indoors. Plants of the genus
Amaryllis are known as belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo, Easter lily in Southern
Australia or, in South Africa, March lily due to its propensity to flower around March. This is one of numerous genera with the common name "lily" due to their flower shape and growth habit. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily,
Lilium.