Amaryllis belladonna
Naked ladies, Naked Ladies
(c) Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta · licence
Family: Amaryllidaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Amaryllis belladonna (Naked ladies) is a non-native California herb in the Amaryllidaceae family, recognized by True Amaryllis genus represented only by this naturalized species; many plants called 'amaryllis' belong to other genera in Amaryllidaceae.
Naked ladies is a naturalized perennial found in coastal California regions including Central Coast, San Francisco Bay, Southern Coast, and San Bernardin Mountains in disturbed sites, often around abandoned home sites, at elevations below 750 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pink flowers with occasional white or yellow bases, arranged in an umbel-like cluster and spreading 5 to 8 centimeters wide. Growing with stout stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall emerging from a bulb 5 to 10 centimeters in size, it develops distinctive linear leaves 30 to 45 centimeters long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide. Its leaves appear before the flowers and typically wither by blooming time, revealing delicate funnel-shaped blossoms that spread or slightly reflex. The plant produces spheric capsules that dehisce irregularly, with seeds that are fleshy and white or pale pink.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: True Amaryllis genus represented only by this naturalized species; many plants called 'amaryllis' belong to other genera in Amaryllidaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites, often around abandoned home sites
Elevation: < 750 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Sonoma, Monterey
Outside California: Louisiana, temperate tropics, South America, Africa, Mediterranean
Bloom period
Amaryllis belladonna blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Crinum: Amaryllis flowers appear after leaves die; Crinum flowers appear while leaves are still present and green.; vs Hippeastrum: Amaryllis blooms outdoors in late summer on naked stems; Hippeastrum is typically a potted indoor plant blooming in winter.; vs Lycoris: Amaryllis has six identical petals forming a trumpet; Lycoris petals curve strongly backward and have wavy edges.; vs Colchicum: Amaryllis has six stamens visible inside the flower; Colchicum flowers have no stamens visible (they're hidden deep in the tube).; vs Lilium: Amaryllis petals fuse together at the base forming a trumpet; Lilium petals are completely separate with prominent spots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amaryllis belladonna native to California?
No. Amaryllis belladonna is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Amaryllis belladonna bloom?
Amaryllis belladonna blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Amaryllis belladonna grow?
Amaryllis belladonna occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 750 m.
What plant family does Amaryllis belladonna belong to?
Amaryllis belladonna is in the Amaryllidaceae family, genus Amaryllis.
What habitat does Amaryllis belladonna grow in?
Amaryllis belladonna grows in Disturbed sites, often around abandoned home sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.