Scadoxus multiflorus aka Blood Lily

Scadoxus multiflorus (formerly Haemanthus multiflorus) is a popular deciduous, geophyte, bulbous plant native to most of sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia to South Africa, as well as the Arabian Peninsula and the Seychelles. It is naturalized in Mexico and in the Chagos Archipelago. It is grown as an ornamental plant for its brilliantly coloured flowers, either in containers or in the ground in areas with suitable climates. The bulb is tender II and can be injured below 50F (10C). It contains Boophane, poisonous alkaloids that cause vomiting and gastroenteritis, and possibly death due to heart failure if ingested. The purple-spotted inflorescence stalk is up to 40 cm high and bears an Allium-like spherical head, up to 15 cm diameter with numeros starry red threadlike flowers, that are frequented by a range of insects, particularly butterflies. The long, strap-shaped leaves up to 35 cm long appear with, or shortly after, the flowers. There are three recognized subspecies, and it has been used as a component of arrow poisons and fishing poisons, as well as in traditional medicine. It goes by many common names, including blood lily, ball lily, fireball lily, blood flower, Katherine-wheel, oxtongue lily, poison root and powderpuff lily.