Haemanthus albiflos
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|name=Paintbrush or elephant's tongue
|taxon = Haemanthus albiflos
|image = Haemanthus albiflos1C2000.jpg
|authority = Jacq.
|range_map = H. albiflos distribution.png
|range_map_caption = Distribution of H. albiflos in South Africa
|synonyms =
{{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |
- Diacles ciliaris Salisb. nom. inval.
- Diacles pubescens (Herb.) Salisb. nom. inval.
- Haemanthus albomaculatus Baker
- Haemanthus intermedius (Herb.) M.Roem.
- Haemanthus leucanthus Miq.
- Haemanthus pubescens (Herb.) Ker Gawl. nom. illeg.
- Haemanthus virescens Herb.
}}
|synonyms_ref = {{cite web
|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-276772
|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species
|accessdate=18 February 2015}}
}}
Haemanthus albiflos is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to the coast and mountains of South Africa. It is sometimes given the English name paintbrush, not to be confused with Castilleja species which also have this name. It is an evergreen bulbous perennial geophyte, prized horticulturally for its unusual appearance and extreme tolerance of neglect. H. albiflos is the only Haemanthus species found in both winter and summer rainfall regions, and has a mainly coastal distribution from the southern Cape through the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, showing a preference for cool, shady spots.
Etymology
The specific epithet albiflos means "white flower" in English.{{cite book|last=Harrison|first=Lorraine|title=RHS Latin for gardeners|year=2012|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=9781845337315|pages=224}} As a pot plant it has been called "elephant's tongue" and "elephant ear" - for its leaves - or "shaving-brush (or paintbrush) plant" - for its flowers.
Description
The upper half of the bulb is usually exposed and bright green. Since it produces a pair of leaves once a year and is evergreen, the plant may have up to three pairs of leaves. The leaves are up to {{convert|40|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, and may have a covering of short, soft hairs, and occasionally yellow spots on the upper surface. In late autumn and winter, brush-like umbels comprising multiple tiny white florets are borne on stout stems, followed by fleshy red oval fruits which have white seeds. The whole plant grows to {{convert|20|-|30|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|15|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1405332965|pages=1136}}Jacquin, Nicolaus Joseph von. 1797. Plantarum Rariorum Horti Caesarei Schoenbrunnensis Descriptiones et Icones 1: 31.
Cultivation
H. albiflos is hardy down to about {{convert|1 |C|F|abbr=on}} but does not survive prolonged freezing temperatures. This is a very successful indoor plant where it is too tender to be grown outdoors, and thrives on "healthy neglect". It prefers not to be in full sun, but is very tolerant of under-watering, and flowers better if restricted in a small pot.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web|title=Haemanthus albiflos AGM|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8200/Haemanthus-albiflos/Details |work=RHS Plant Finder|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|accessdate=17 July 2020}}{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 45 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 3 March 2018}}
Propagation
It reproduces readily by adventitious buds or offsets, which may be removed when the flowering period is over. Offsets can be separated carefully from the parent plant to be grown on, preferably when they are fairly well developed, and ensuring that there is some root on them. Fruits are only occasionally produced indoors, presumably for lack of pollinating insects, but when one does produce a seed, this can be sown, and should grow, though it is a slower process. With very little care, this plant can be propagated for many years.
References
{{Reflist}}
Gallery
Haemanthus albiflos00.jpg|{{center|Flowerhead}}
Haemanthus albiflos01.jpg|{{center|Immature fruiting head}}
Haemanthus albiflos 180205.jpg|{{center|Mature fruits}}
Haemanthus albiflos02.jpg|{{center|Fruits and seeds}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1459502}}
Category:Flora of the Cape Provinces