Originally from Southern Africa, Clivia (pronounced Clive-ee-a) belong to the Amaryllis family and include five named species, miniata, nobilis, gardenii, caulescens and mirabilis.

A robust wetland-growing clivia has also been identified and is informally known as the swamp clivia. Clivia have long been popular because they flower in shade but real interest and excitement in recent years has followed the emergence of striking new hybrid forms.