1. A tropical South American plant of the amaryllis family, widely cultivated for its large, showy flowers that bloom in red, pink, white, or striped varieties.
Usage: Also called amaryllis in common usage, though botanically distinct from true amaryllis.; Often grown as a potted houseplant, especially from bulbs forced to bloom indoors.

Examples

• She planted hippeastrum bulbs in December and watched them bloom indoors by spring.
• The hippeastrum's trumpet-shaped flowers can reach up to six inches across.
• My grandmother grows hippeastrums on her windowsill every winter.
• The garden center had a display of hippeastrum varieties in shades of crimson and white.
• Hippeastrum bulbs are popular gifts because they reliably produce dramatic flowers with minimal care.