Agapanthus (百子蓮屬 ) is an erect perennial herb with flowering stems to about 1.2m high. They are native to Southern Africa though some have become naturalized in scattered places around the world like Australia and UK. Some species of Agapanthus are commonly known as lily of the Nile. Many hybrids have been produced.
The leaves are long and strap-like, glossy and dark green. They grow to about 60 cm long. And are arranged in two rows. The plant flowers in late spring and early summer. The inflorescence is a pseudo-umbel subtended by two large bracts at the apex of a long, erect scape (long flower stalk) up to 1.2 m tall. Each flower has six petals fused to form a funnel-shaped corolla tube. The colours of the petals are blue, lilac or white. There are 6 stamens and a pistil. The ovary is superior. The black, winged seeds are enclosed in a leathery green capsules which dries to pale brown.
After fertilization, the stamens and the petals withered. The ovary develops into a fruit and the ovules develop into seeds.
Agapanthus plants are an excellent choice for landscaping around the pool or the edge of a driveway or fence. The commonly grown agapanthus form clumps up to a metre across with flowers a metre or more tall.
A drawing and a painting of Agapanthus
Patrick Siu Chinese Calligraphy & Landscape Painting 蕭燿漢談書畫 