amaryllis

noun

am·a·ryl·lis | \ˌa-mə-ˈri-ləs

Definition of amaryllis

1 : an autumn-flowering South African bulbous herb (Amaryllis belladonna of the family Amaryllidaceae, the amaryllis family) that is grown in gardens for its clusters of large, fragrant, usually white or pink flowers which resemble lilies and are borne on long, solid, leafless stems : belladonna lily

2 : any of various usually spring-flowering cultivars of a closely related chiefly South American bulbous herb (genus Hippeastrum) that are widely grown indoors in wintertime for their clusters of large, typically red, pink, salmon, or white, trumpet-shaped flowers which resemble lilies and are borne on long, hollow, leafless stems

Examples of amaryllis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When October arrives, put the amaryllis on a lean diet by watering only during the dry times and withholding fertilizer. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Keep corn feeders in check with natural sprays," 21 Apr. 2018 Bulb-type plants: Achimenes, African iris, agapanthus, amaryllis, blackberry lily, bulbine, caladiums, canna, crinum, crocosmia, day lily, eucharis lily, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, peacock ginger, society garlic, rain lily and walking iris. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June in the garden," 26 May 2018 Many years ago there were several farmers growing amaryllis in the Orlando area. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Local amaryllis brimming with spring color," 4 Apr. 2018 Plus, there will be a display of Kidder's favorite flowers, pink amaryllis. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, "How Motor City Comic Con will honor Margot Kidder's memory," 16 May 2018 Big red blooms often with white stripes are likely spring displays of amaryllis. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Local amaryllis brimming with spring color," 4 Apr. 2018 Trim old flowers stalks from amaryllis, amazon lilies and other spring-flowering plants. 45. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "April in the garden," 31 Mar. 2018 In five to eight weeks after planting, the amaryllis will bloom. — Kym Pokorny, OregonLive.com, "How to coax amaryllis from bulbs to beautiful blooms," 2 Nov. 2017 Deep red amaryllis flowers, cut short, mimicked the rose at her chest, and finally, the large white Protea lent the arrangement a boldness, a hit of the exotic, and suggested the porcelain quality of her skin. — Lindsey Taylor, WSJ, "Christmas in a Vase: A Bouquet How-To," 19 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amaryllis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.