You know that Spring is just around the corner when the Hippeastrum bulbs are starting to poke through the soil with their long flowering stalks. All round the village the numerous varieties of these flowering bulbs can be seen getting ready to flower. At No. 31 Lennox Crescent (right on the corner of Mt Spec Road) there is a cluster of Hippeastrum papilio already in full bloom. This variety of Hippeastrum is native to Brazil. It is sometimes called the butterfly amaryllis. It has white flowers with a touch of lime colour and striking burgundy markings. Unlike many other Hippeastrums, this species is said to be evergreen in its ideal climate. Clearly, it thrives at Paluma!
Text & Photos by Michele Bird