Clivia miniata

Native to Southern Africa.  Also called Kafir Lily.   Amaryllis family.

A houseplant in many parts of the world, these glowing, photogenic beauties thrive outdoors in Southern California. Cliviat prefers dry, bright shade. Often seen in public gardens like the Getty Center gardens or the Huntington Gardens in Los Angeles.

The genus Clivia is named for Lady Charlotte Florentia Clive (1787-1866), the Duchess of Northumberland. The daughter of an Earle and a Countess, she became a Duchess after marrying Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland in 1817. She was, among other things, governess to the future Queen Victoria.

She was an avid and successful gardener, and collected and cultivated African flowering bulbs. Botanists at Kew Gardens in London held her in high regard, and named this genus after her.

Kafir is a pejorative word used in the Koran referring to unbelievers. It is also the British and American common name for the Clivia flower. The association is unclear.