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Definition of kaffir lily

kaffir lily

Plural:kaffir lilies
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• noun

1

A rhizomatous perennial plant of the iris family (Hesperantha coccinea, formerly Schizostylis coccinea), native to southern Africa and cultivated along stream banks and borders for its late-blooming spikes of star-shaped crimson, pink, or white flowers.

2

An evergreen flowering plant of the amaryllis family (Clivia miniata), native to woodland habitats in southern Africa and widely grown as an ornamental houseplant for its strap-like dark green leaves and showy umbels of trumpet-shaped orange, red, or yellow blossoms.

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kaffir lily

Word Nuance & Usage

Because the modifier 'kaffir' is a deeply offensive ethnic slur in South Africa, modern botanists and horticulturists strongly prefer the alternative common names 'bush lily' (for Clivia miniata) or 'river lily' and 'crimson flag lily' (for Hesperantha coccinea).

• Nearby Words

kadei river
kadsura
kaduna
kaffir lily
kafue
kagu
kahawai

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kaffir lily. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kaffir-lily
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