Welcome to the rare and magnificent Boophone haemanthoides.  This bizarre Amaryllis relative from South Africa has a dramatic fan of wavy, blue-green leaves, which give it a prehistoric flair.  The plant forms a massive bulb 8" across or more, with much of it growing above ground like a caudex.  Boophone (pronounced "bo-OFF-on-ee") is a distinctive collector's item for lovers of unusual plants.  

It is a long-lived bulb from the Western Cape section of South Africa, where it grows during the winter and goes deciduous during the arid summer.  Around mid-summer, the bulb sends up a brush-like flower head similar to Haemanthus, hence the species name haemanthoides.  It usually appears right before the leaves emerge, similar to Amaryllis.  The flowers tend to be yellow or cream, and turn pink as they age.  Some pictures of the blooms are here.  As the flower head matures, it enlarges into a big sphere, which breaks off when it dries.  The wind then rolls it along the ground like a tumbleweed, which disperses the seeds.  The bold leaves emerge in autumn.  They grow to about 15 to 18" long.  The foliage might be poisonous if consumed, and the bulb certainly is.

I have no information on the maximum and minimum temperature that it can handle.  It probably can take temperatures in the 80s throughout the growing period of October to April, although warmer conditions might stress it.  I believe it can take a few degrees of frost, but i recommend protecting it from freezing temps.  It grows well in a pot, which doesn't need to be wide, but should be tall.  It needs a fast-draining, sandy-rocky soil mix.  It should be given regular waterings during the winter growing period, and virtual dryness during the summer dormant phase.  Full sun is best.

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