Amaryllidaceae

views updated

Amaryllidaceae (daffodils, narcissi, etc.) A dfamily of bulbous herbs which differ from Liliaceae only in the inferior ovary in their flowers. The flowers are solitary or occur in umbels. The inflorescence is enclosed at first in a scarious spathe. The flowers are regular and showy, with 6 similar perianth segments in 2 whorls, and sometimes with a trumpet-like corona. There are 6 stamens. Many species are cultivated for their flowers. There are about 85 genera, with some 1100 species, mainly of warm temperate regions but extending into the tropical and cool temperate zones.

More From encyclopedia.com