Origin and Habitat: South Africa (Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape). It extends into Zimbabwe through to Kenya in east Africa.
Altitude range: This species grows at altitudes between 700 and 1500 metres.
Habitat and ecology. Ammocharis coranicaSN|32896]]SN|32896]] is a perennial bulb that grows in the summer rainfall area. It grows in open, mainly on plains, often near pans or in depressions which are seasonally wet, but in a variety of biomes, such as desert, grassland and Karoo. Its habitat is characterised by lengthy dry periods and severe droughts. Dense stands of Ammocharis coranicaSN|32896]]SN|32896]] plants, interspaced with Salsola shrubs, grow on the compact clay soils. Ammocharis coranicaSN|32896]]SN|32896]], is relatively frequent and often forms massed displays. The foliage and flowers are poisonous, but they are unpalatable and are seldom eaten by livestock. After flowering, large numbers of fleshy seeds are produced in membranous capsules which eventually split when the seeds mature, depositing then around the plant. The fleshy seeds germinates spontaneously, producing a radicle (small root) and ultimately a small leaf. If the seed comes to rest in a favourable situation, the radicle will take root and the young plant will develop. Failing this, the seed and embryonic plant will desiccate and die. However seeds are very tough and can survive for a long time, sometimes months, in harsh conditions before they die.

• Ammocharis coranica (Ker Gawl.) Herb.
• Amaryllis coranica Ker Gawl.
• Brunsvigia coranica (Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl.
• Palinetes coranica (Ker Gawl.) Salisb.

• Ammocharis coranica (Ker Gawl.) Herb.
• Amaryllis coranica Ker Gawl.
• Brunsvigia coranica (Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl.
• Palinetes coranica (Ker Gawl.) Salisb.
• Ammocharis coccinea Pax
• Crinum coccineum (Pax) Fritsch
• Ammocharis coranica var. pallida (Lindl.) Herb.
• Amaryllis coranica var. pallida Lindl.
• Ammocharis taveliana Schinz
• Crinum tavelianum (Schinz) Fritsch

Description: Ammocharis coranicaSN|32896]]SN|32896]], known as the Karoo Lily, is a larger bulbous herbs with the bulbs being relatively large and thickly brown- tunicated. This large lily is recognised by its profusion of beautiful deep pink, sweetly-scented flowers. The spectacular flower head is arranged in a rounded terminal cluster. The leaves are flat and broad, from the base of the plant and lying along the ground. It is a characteristic feature of Ammocharis that the dry inflorescence breaks away from the bulb and rolls along the veld in a light breeze, distributing its seeds as it moves, hence the common name tumbleweed. It shares this characteristic with the genera Brunsvigia and Boophane.
Derivation of specific name: coranica means “to do with korana Bushmen” in Latin.
Bulb: Ovoid, reaching a diameter of 15-22 cm, not produced into a neck. Tunics very numerous, brown, membranous.
Leaves: In spreading fan (arranged in a parallel fashion), lying along the ground sickle-shaped or straplike, reaching a length of 30-60 cm, 2,5 cm broad, green, glabrous, blunt, produced before or after flowering and not persistent, the plant goes dormant in dry spells and in winter. The tip of the old leaves is truncated, marked by the point where the plant goes dormant in the previous year.
Inflorescence: Peduncle stout, lateral, 15-30 cm long. Flowers 20-40 in an umbel (flower cluster). Pedicels 25-30 mm long. Spathe-valves large, ovate. The whole dry inflorescence finally breaks loose and is blown over the veld, discarding its large fleshy seeds as it goes.
Flowers: Attractive, tubular, nerine-like, 50-70 mm long, deep pink to bright red, fragrant. Perianth-tube 12 mm long. Segments 3-5 cm long. The stamens ± as long as the tepals.
Blooming season: Flowering can be any time from spring to mid-summer, and is opportunistic in the sense that it can be triggered by good rains or fire – under these conditions flowering is spectacular. Populations do not necessarily flower every year, despite favourable conditions.
Fruits: Membranous capsules which eventually split when the seeds mature.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. “Plants of the Klein Karoo”. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
2) Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Ammocharis coranica (Ker Gawl.) Herb. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2016/04/27
3) Gerrit Germishuizen “Transvaal Wild Flowers” Macmillan South Africa (Publishers), 1982
4) Antje Burke “Wild flowers of the central Namib” Namibia Scientific Society, 2003
5) John Gilbert Baker “Handbook of the Amaryllideæ: [including the Alstroemerieæ and Agaveæ]” Cramer, 1972
6) Noel Urton “Plants of the Swartkops valley bushveld” Zwartkops Trust, 1993
7) John Manning “Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland” Struik Nature, 2009
8) Jacana Education “Lowveld and Kruger Guide” Jacana Media, 2004
9) John P. Rourke “Wild Flowers of South Africa” Struik Publishers, 1997
10) Cameron McMaster “The graceful, hardy Karoo lily - Ammocharis coranica: Karoo lily” farmer’s weekly page 30-31 5 October 2007, retrieved 27 April 2016 from <http://www.botanicalsociety.org.za/ProjectsAndActivities/Downloadable%20articles/FW03%20Ammocharis.pdf>

Cultivation and Propagation: Although usually grown only by specialist bulb-grower it presents no great difficulty in cultivation. The ease of culture make it an invaluable subject for the impassioned bulb-growers.
Soil: It needs a slightly acid medium comprising equal parts of well decomposed compost or finely milled bark, and river or silica sand (or pumice). 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.
Water: It is usually evergreen in cultivation but 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 semi-shaded but it will even grow and bloom in full sun.
Hardiness: They are sensitive to frost, but are said to be hardy -5° C (or even less).
Garden uses: In warm and temperate climates grow it sunny courtyard gardens, in raised beds and rockeries. In countries with cold winter climates, they are best grown in containers in a cool or slightly heated greenhouse. The plants are mostly grown by specialist bulb collectors, usually as container subjects.
Traditional uses: In Lesotho, a gluey paste made from cooked Ammocharis bulbs is used to mend cracks in clay pots. In Namibia parts of the bulb are used to dress wounds and boils. The diluted juice of the roots is used as a spray by some tribes to ward off evil spirits from their huts.
Pest and diseases: 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: By seed or rarely by division of bulbs. Offsets are rather slow to form (if ever), and are best separated from the mother bulb straight after flowering, just as the new leaves begin to develop. Seeds form readily and should be harvested and sown as soon as they can be easily removed from the bright orange, fleshy berries. Seeds may take up to two months before the first leaf appears above ground, and a further four to five years to flower for the first time.