Nerine sarniensis

Nerine sarniensis
Nerine sarniensis bloom
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Nerine
Species:
N. sarniensis
Binomial name
Nerine sarniensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Nerine rosea Herb.

Nerine sarniensis, commonly known as Guernsey lily or Raquel is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is the type species of the Nerine genus. It is widely cultivated in the temperate world and is particularly associated with the island of Guernsey, as reflected in both its Latin and common names (sarniensis means "from Guernsey"),[2] though it does not originate there, nor is it a true lily (it is more closely related to Amaryllis and Sternbergia). It is native to the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, though it is now naturalized in France, Madeira and the Azores.[1]

Nerine sarniensis is a bulbous perennial growing to 45 cm (18 in) tall by 8 cm (3 in) wide, with strap-shaped leaves and umbels of scarlet, lily-like flowers with conspicuous stamens tipped with purple anthers, in late summer and early autumn.[3]

In cultivation N. sarniensis requires winter protection in colder areas.[4] Nerine lily is known among florists as one of the longest lasting cut flowers.

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  3. ^ Herbert, William. 1820. Botanical Magazine 47: t. 2124, Nerine rosea (synonym for N. sarniensis)
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Nerine sarniensis". Retrieved 27 June 2013.