The Flower Pincushion: its origin, characteristics and care

The scientific name for the Pincushion Flower is Scadoxus multiflorus and it is native to tropical and southern Africa, with a range extending into the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. It is also known by other names such as “blood lily and fireball lily“.

This species was formerly classified under the name Haemanthus multiflorus, and is now accepted as Scadoxus multiflorus. The distinction between these genera rests on morphological and taxonomic evidence. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, to which several bulbous plants belong. The combination Scadoxus multiflorus was published in 1838 by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, based on Thomas Martyn’s earlier name Haemanthus multiflorus.

You should plant several bulbs nearby and in a cool and bright place, so you can enjoy their flowering, since each one only blooms once a season. Its flowers are born in spring or summer, depending on the climate from the flowering stalk that emerges from the bulb, giving rise to the striking inflorescence (a cluster of flowers borne on a flowering stem), made up of countless small flowers grouped in a perfect sphere and last approximately 2 weeks.

As the flowers fade, the leaves begin to grow, arranged in a spiral and with a very striking green color. These are about 20 to 35 cm long and 10-15 cm wide. In autumn the leaves begin to dry, until they fall completely before winter, so in spring they begin their cycle again.

The Pincushion Flower is highly poisonous, as it contains alkaloids in all its parts, so it should be kept out of reach of children and pets; avoid ingestion and unnecessary handling of its parts. Historical accounts describe the use of some Scadoxus species in arrow and fishing poisons in parts of Africa. Although it has a history of traditional use, it should not be ingested or prepared as a home remedy because of its toxicity. However, its best use is Ornamental, because even after cutting the flowers have a long duration.