amaryllis family

Family Amaryllidaceae of the order Aspergales, containing about 59 genera and at least 800 species of perennial herbaceous plants, found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions and prized for their showy flowers, which are borne on smooth, hollow stalks with few or no leaves. Many species are cultivated as garden ornamentals. Many tropical lilylike plants also belong to the family, including the genera Haemanthus (Cape tulip, or blood lily), Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily), and Hippeastrum. Some are grown as houseplants.

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