AMARYLLIS/HIPPEASTRUM
The genus Hippeastrum belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae (which also includes
Narcissus and Galanthus) and consists of around 55 to 70 different species, almost all of
which come from South America with many originating from Brazil, Argentina, Peru and
Chile. Hippeastrum was introduced into cultivation in the 18th century in Europe as well
as in the United States.
First steps in hybridizing were made around 1800, and hybridizing continued in different countries during the 19th and 20th century, resulting in a wide range of cultivars of different types and colours.
There has been confusion in the past among taxonomists concerning the use of the name 'Amaryllis' instead of 'Hippeastrum'. Nowadays, the official name of the genus is 'Hippeastrum', while most people use 'amaryllis' as a common name. Officially, 'Amaryllis' is a different genus and is native to South Africa.
Commercial Hippeastrum culture is taking place in a number of countries including Holland, South-Africa, United States, Brazil, Israel, and many other countries.