amaryllis

My amaryllis bloomed this morning! It is said that they can bloom for an amazing 75 years. Native to South America and South Africa (depending on species), it is unknown when they arrived in North America. However, Thomas Jefferson wrote about amaryllis in the 1800s. It is said that the bulb was introduced to Europe in the 17th century by a German physician who discovered it in Chile in the 1800s. The flower symbolizes pride, determination and radiant beauty.