Different Naked Ladies - Lycoirsaversus Amaryllis
James Waddick (Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:14:48 PST)

Dear All,
Botanically Amaryllis and Lycoris although both members of
the Amaryllidaceae, they are not very close. The 2 most distinct
morphological characters are that Lycoris has only 2 spathes beneath
the flower head* and a curved floral/perianth tube, while Amaryllis
has three or more spathes and a straight floral/perianth tube.
Spathe here refers to the large bracts enclosing the entire
developing flower head. I suppose it is possible that an aberrant
Amaryllis might just have two. And in Amaryllis the perianth tube can
be very short, but it is much longer (and curves) in most Lycoris.

Less obvious of course is that Lycoris is strictly E. Asian
versus Amaryllis from S. Africa.

Lycoris consist of two major groups: those with spring
foliage which are generally hardy in the north and don't do as well
in the south ( e.g. L. squamigera), and a second group (subgenus)
with foliage that emerges in fall and does better in the south and
less hardy and/ or floriferous in the north (e.g. L. radiata). Both
'in general'.
Amaryllis is basically cultivated like Hippeastrum and does
not flourish in northern gardens.

Neither performs well in pots. Both bloom on bare stems. The
color range of Amaryllis (2 species) is far more restricted than that
of Lycoris with over 20 species and numerous hybrids.

Amaryllis usually prefers a dry summer (baking), whereas
Lycoris does not want to dry out as completely and tolerates/prefers
summer moisture.

Once you are familiar with either, they look obviously distinct.

Does this help?

Best Jim W.

* The spathes usually dry up at bloom
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/…

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +