amaryllidaceae

Amaryllidaceae is a family of monocot flowering plants in the order Asparagales. In the APG IV system, it comprises two subfamilies, Amaryllidoideae and Allioideae, containing roughly 50–60 genera and more than 700 species. The family is distributed worldwide, with centers of diversity in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, the Mediterranean basin, and various tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. Members are predominantly herbaceous perennials that grow from bulbs or rhizomes and are often cultivated for their showy flowers.

Plants typically have basal, strap-shaped leaves and produce an inflorescence from the bulb or scaly stem. Flowers are usually conspicuous and arranged in umbels, racemes, or spikes, with six tepals and six stamens. Many genera feature a corona, tube, or cup, as seen in Narcissus. The fruit is a capsule containing seeds that are often dispersed by wind or mechanical means.

Amaryllidaceae species occupy a broad range of habitats, from temperate to tropical climates. They are widely cultivated as ornamentals in temperate gardens, with spring-blooming Narcissus, Galanthus, Leucojum, and Crinum among the best known. The Allioideae subfamily includes many edible crops, such as Allium species (onions, garlic, leeks, chives). Some genera are grown for cut flowers or for the production of bioactive alkaloids; several species are toxic if ingested.

The family is noted for amaryllidaceous alkaloids. Galantamine from Galanthus and related genera is used in medicines for Alzheimer's disease. Taxonomically, molecular studies have clarified relationships within the subfamilies and highlighted the close affinities of Amaryllidaceae to other groups within the Asparagales. Major genera include Narcissus, Galanthus, Leucojum, Hippeastrum, Amaryllis, Crinum, Pancratium, Allium, and Tulbaghia.