Origin and Habitat: The native habitat of Sprekelia formosissimaSN|30365]]SN|30365]], long remained uncertain, but it is now known to be Mexico and Guatemala. In Mexico reports of its occurrence in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Mexico, Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guerrero. It appears to have reached England by way of Spain, and to have become generally grown in this country about the year 1593.
Altitude range: Up to 2,500 metres above sea level.
Habitat and ecology: Sprekelia formosissimaSN|30365]]SN|30365]] grows in rocky hills on cliffs and on lightly wooded slopes.

• Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herb.
• Amaryllis formosissima L.
• Hippeastrum formosissimum (L.) Loudon

• Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herb.
• Amaryllis formosissima L.
• Hippeastrum formosissimum (L.) Loudon
• Amaryllis formosa Salisb.
• Sprekelia clintiae Traub
• Sprekelia glauca Lindl.
• Sprekelia heisteri Trew
• Sprekelia karwinskii (Zucc.) M.Roem.
• Amaryllis karwinskii Zucc.
• Sprekelia ringens C.Morren
• Sprekelia stenopetala Lem.

Description: Sprekelia formosissimaSN|30365]]SN|30365]] sometimes called "Aztec lily", although it is not a true lily, is a very handsome free growing bulbous plant having a roundish dark coloured bulb and annual strap-like green leaves. The exquisitely beauty, rich crimson flowers have three upper segments and three lower ones rolled into a cylinder for part of their length and looks like butterfly. It was formerly placed in the genus Amaryllis.
Derivation of specific name: It is well named formosissima — most beautiful — for of all flowers that grow in a garden it is one of the most distinctive in design and colouration.
Leaves: Elongate linear tapering to a point and channelled down the centre, varying from 6 to 12 mm in breadth and from 15 to 60(-110) cm in length.
Inflorescence: The scape is hollow, one- or rarely two-flowered, with an acute angle on one side and ? blunt one on the other, tapering more or less towards the flower; it bears ? spathe about 7-8 cm length which surrounds the straight hollow peduncle.
Flowers: Very showy, sweet-scented, consisting of a very short tube, and a limb of six segments, of a bright crimson, green at the base. Segments of the perianth crimson, the upper segment is broadest, straight a little way, then ascending, and after being expanded two or three days it becomes reflexed. The two side ones stand inside the upper one, and are considerably narrower than the other four, spreading, and bending round like a bow, attenuated a little towards the base. The three lower segments hang down, their points being curved inwards towards the scape; the middle one is rather shortest and broadest and is enclosed above half way by the outer ones. Stamens six. Filament inserted equally with a connecting membrane at the base of the perianth, fasciculate, declined and recurved as the style, about 10 cm in length, tapering to a slender point, which is inserted into the anther considerably above the base. Anthers pedulous, affixed one third from the top, linear before bursting, nearly 2,5 cm in length, crimson purple, with straw coloured pollen. Ovary obtusely three angled, three celled, three valved. The style is bright red, longer than the filaments, ascending at the apex,terminated by a three cleft stigma. Stigma three-parted with obtuse reflexed papillose lobes
Bulb Bloom time: Spring where hardy, summer when grown as annual.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) G. Willis, “The Ornamental Flower Garden and Shrubbery: Containing Coloured Figures and Descriptions of the Most Beautiful and Curious Flowering Plants and Shrubs Cultivated in Great Britain” Volume 1 1852
2) R. Hay, P. Synge "Das große Blumenbuch" Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1968.
3) Umberto Quattrocchi "CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology." CRC Press Inc., 2000
4) James Herbert Veitch “Hortus Veitchii: A History of the Rise and Progress of the Nurseries of Messrs James Veitch and Sons” Cambridge University Press, 09 October 2011
5) Lewis Hill, Nancy Hill “The Flower Gardener's Bible: A Complete Guide to Colorful Blooms All Season Long; 10th Anniversary Edition with a new foreword by Suzy Bales” Storey Publishing, 04 May 2012
6) Quayside, Troy B. Marden “Southern Gardener's Handbook: Your Complete Guide: Select, Plan, Plant, Maintain, Problem-Solve - Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee” Cool Springs Press, 01 November 2014
7) Elizabeth Lawrence “A Southern garden: a handbook for the middle South” The University of North Carolina Press, 1942

Cultivation and Propagation: The Aztec lily, Sprekelia formosissimaSN|30365]]SN|30365]], is a fine bulbous plant well known in cultivation and commonly sold in the seed shops. Grown like an amaryllis, which it resembles. It presents no great difficulty in cultivation. The ease of culture make it an invaluable subject for the impassioned bulb-growers. It is common in cultivation, planted in warm climates and makes an exceptional potted plant where it is as cold for it to grow outdoors year-round, or planted and lifted, much as the gladiolus. Even when well grown, bulbs often do not bloom every year. In a grouping of about a dozen bulbs, only two or three may bloom in any given year. Good garden companions: Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata). Its butterflylike red flowers appear from late spring to early summer. depending on your region and how much rainfall you receive.
Soil: It needs a slightly acid deep, rich soil comprising equal parts of well decomposed compost, and river or silica sand (or pumice).
Planting: Plant the bulbs with the neck at, or just below soil level and can remain in the same position for many years. Grows it in pots with a diameter of at least 25 cm. Give it excellent drainage. It prefers regions with dry winters or, in wetter areas, to be planted in well-draining sandy or gravelly soil or even on a slope. The bulbs may be taken up and dried in autumn and planted again at the latter end of February or beginning of March they may be made to flower readily in pots if the leaves are allowed to perfect themselves and the bulbs are afterwards kept dry and warm for a few months through the winter Under these circumstances the flower stems are produced upon the application of water in the s ring
Water: It needs to be kept almost dry during its dormancy as the bulbs is disposed to dwindle and rot. Its winter rest must be absolute.
Exposure:It is most suitably grown in full sun but it will even grow and bloom in half shade too.
Hardiness: They are sensitive to frost, but are said to be hardy -5° C (or even less). Zones: 8-10
Garden uses: In warm and temperate climates grow it sunny courtyard gardens, in raised beds . In countries with cold winter climates, they are best grown in containers in a cool or slightly heated greenhouse.
Pest and diseases: Few problems. The bulbs and leaf bases are susceptible to attack by mealy bugs, and the leaf margins are chewed by snout beetles and slugs at night.
Propagation: Divide small bulbs after blooming as it does not appear to produce perfect seeds. Offsets are best separated from the mother bulb straight after flowering, just as the new leaves begin to develop.