Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

When forced, Hippeastrum (commonly called amaryllis) bloom earlier in winter, but our potted amaryllis are left to bloom when they want to, and they bloom around now reminding me that spring is on its way. The flowers are impressive and imposing as a table centerpiece, and they have a slight fresh scent. I tried to capture the excitement of when they are first starting to bloom and the leaves are barely poking out of the bulb.

But while we enjoy them, the spring plants aren’t blooming for us. The hummingbird shows the interaction interaction between plants and animals in the ecosystem in which they evolved together, and that the form of the Hippeastrum exists because of the pollinators it is trying to attract.

The hummingbird’s wings are positionable to capture the elegant ways they hover.