Birth flower for February 19
Clivia
Meaning: nobility
Despite its Chinese and Japanese names calling it an orchid, clivia belongs to the amaryllis family. The genus is named after Lady Charlotte Clive, Duchess of Northumberland, whose household first brought it into flower in Britain. Its thick, strap-like leaves grow in two neat ranks, and in late winter a sturdy stalk pushes up a round head of orange trumpets. It is hugely popular in northeastern China, where it is the city flower of Changchun.