amaryllis

noun am·a·ryl·lis \ ˌa-mə-ˈri-ləs \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

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

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Recent Examples of amaryllis from the Web

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
Brooke Edmunds, a horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service, has advice on coaxing an amaryllis from bulb to flower, an easy proposition from start to finish.

— kym pokorny, OregonLive.com, "How to coax amaryllis from bulbs to beautiful blooms," 2 Nov. 2017
Begin forcing amaryllis and paper white narcissus for indoor displays.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "October gardening calendar," 30 Sep. 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.