Name

• The original botanic name for the fireball lily was Haemanthus multiflorus. Haemanthus is a combination of two Greek works, haima meaning blood, and anthos meaning flower. Multiflorus is a commonly used Latin term that means many-flowered. The plant's current name, Scadoxus multiflorus, roughly translates to glorious umbel. Fireball lily is called by many common names, among them pincushion flower, cape tulip, blood flower and Catherine wheel. Other common names include poison root, bloedblom and gifwortel.
  
  

Appearance

• Fireball lily grows 1 to 2 feet tall, producing six or seven leaves that are 12 to 15 inches long. Leaves are bright green and spirally arranged. The plant produces showy, large flower heads that are made up of tiny red florets tipped with yellow stamens. Flowers appear in late spring, and are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The berries of the plant are a rich shade of reddish orange.
  
  

Habitat

• Fireball lily thrives in much of tropical Africa, as well as the Eastern Cape, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The lily grows in lowlands as well as mountain forests, open grasslands and shady riverbanks. As a landscape plant, fireball lily works well in USDA zones 9 to 11. The plant requires a rich, sharply draining soil enhanced with organic material. Consistent moisture is crucial to the plant's success.
  
  

Features

• Fireball lily is rarely bothered by pests and diseases, although slugs and snails may attack in moist conditions. The bulbs of the plant should never be ingested, as they contain toxic alkaloids. Fireball lily works well as a houseplant, or as an outdoor container plant. When grown directly in the garden, bulbs must be overwintered indoors if hard winter frosts are expected. In tropical climates, the plant thrives in full shade.