Fauna
Plant

Belladonna Lily

Amaryllis belladonna

Also known as Jersey Lily, Naked Lady Lily, March Lily, Belladonna

Belladonna lilies produce clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink blooms atop stout, leafless stems in late summer. The bright green strap-like foliage emerges later during the wet winter months, photosynthesizing to store energy before dying back in spring. All parts of the plant, particularly the large underground bulbs, contain toxic alkaloids that deter mammalian herbivores.

FragrantToxic PlantPerennial
Belladonna Lily reference1 / 7
(c) Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta · cc-by
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Snails
  • Slugs
  • Lily Caterpillars
ThreatsHabitat Loss (native range), Snail Damage
HabitatsFynbos, Mediterranean Scrub, Coastal Cliffs, Gardens
Life span20–50+ years
Classification
  1. OrderAsparagales
  2. FamilyAmaryllidaceae
  3. GenusAmaryllis
  4. SpeciesAmaryllis belladonna
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
All parts contain toxic lycorine alkaloids; avoid ingestion and keep away from pets and livestock.
Why it is dangerous
Contains lycorine and other toxic alkaloids that cause severe gastrointestinal distress, drooling, and cardiac symptoms if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for stout leafless purplish-green stalks carrying large pink trumpet flowers emerging directly from dry soil in late summer.
What to do
Wear gloves when dividing underground bulbs, and ensure pets cannot dig up or chew on any part.
Responsible observation
  • Planting Care: Position bulbs in full sun with the upper neck exposed slightly above the soil line.
  • Pet Protection: Keep potted or garden specimens away from pets to prevent accidental poisoning.
  • Dormancy Handling: Allow winter foliage to wither naturally in early summer to nourish upcoming blooms.
Related species
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