Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllis was named by Linnaeus after a shepherdess in Greek mythology. Species are usually perennial herbs, bulbs common, many are deciduous. Leaves chiefly basal, spiral or distichous, usually linear, leaf bases may form a pseudostem. Inflorescence is usually umbellate, Perianth regular to irregular, 3-merous, inner whorl usually smaller than the outer whorl and often fused into a tube at the base. Stamens 3+3 in two whorls; 3 carpels, ovary inferior, 3-locular, style filiform; fruit a capsule rarely otherwise. There are many ornamentals in this family.