Clivias galore. Some species of Clivia produce the alkaloid lycorine which is toxic in sufficient quantities, particularly in pets and small children.

Clivia is a genus of monocot flowering plants native to southern Africa. They are from the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. Common names are Natal lily or bush lily. It grows in woodland habitats in South Africa and Swaziland. It grows into large clumps and is surprisingly water wise. It is a popular plant for shady areas. While native to South Africa, they grow in many countries. Flowers are red, orange or yellow. Yellow is much harder find than the common orange. Flowering time varies. Typically C. miniata, C. nobilis and C. caulescens flower in late winter and spring; in cultivation, C. miniata has out of season flowers at almost any time. C. gardenii and C. robusta flower in the autumn. Interspecific hybrids and cultivars can flower at almost any time of the year depending on climate and the flowering pattern of their parent species. A distinctive feature of Clivia – shared with the closely related genus Cryptostephanus – is that unlike most species in the subfamily, it does not form bulbs. The long strap-shaped leaves are evergreen and spring from thick branching roots or rhizomes. Like other members of the tribe Haemantheae to which it belongs, Clivia fruits are berries. When ripe, they contain large fleshy seeds which are often more than 1 cm in diameter. Some species of Clivia produce the alkaloid lycorine which is toxic in sufficient quantities, particularly in pets and small children. 17641

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