PlantFiles: Royal Paint Brush, White Blood Lily, Powder Puff
Haemanthus albiflos

I was given this plant a year ago and didn't know what to expect.
I potted it up in a fast draining mix and set it on the patio in part shade.
It grew and flourished.
Now in November it has burst into bloom with at least a dozen creamy bottlebrush blooms.
Very striking.

In China Haemanthus albiflos are often seen cultivated in pots. People call it hu er lan, tiger-ear, whose name may be taken from the form of the bloom. But sometimes when not in bloom, it is sometimes mistakenly regarded as an amaryllis.

Evergreen to semi-evergreen bulbous plant with broad, rough-edged 18" long leaves that lay over flat to the ground. The flowers, carried on top of 1-2' long stalks are composed of a brush of white flowers with bright yellow stamen anthers that are surrounded by 2 large white bracts. Origin: South Africa.

This species of Haemanthus, though not as spectacular in the flower as the red ones, has wonderfully fuzzy leaves and makes an excellent addition to a xeriscape garden (though can handle more water, too). It has nice white/yellow flowers in a starburst globe shape. Very slow growing plant and suckers. At least here in So Cal doesnt' appear to be deciduous like my other Haemanthus (which is now listed as a Scadoxus species)