Alstroemeria pulchella L. f.

Parrot Lily; Peruvian Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Parrot Lily is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Peruvian Lily family (Alstroemeriaceae). It has been placed in the Lily family (Liliaceae) in the past. Parrot Lily is native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina and north-eastern Paraguay. It is occasionally planted in the southeast where it has escaped and naturalized. In Alabama, it can be found in the southern half of the state. Parrot Lily occurs around old home sites, in pastures, on roadsides, along creeks, and along railroads. It is a perennial with fascicles of thick, fusiform tubers. Stems are erect, unbranched, green in color, and glabrous. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate to lanceolate in outline, glabrous, and with entire margins. Stems and leaves are often glaucous. Non-flowering stems are up to 1 foot in height with broader, more numerous leaves. Flowering stems are 2-3 feet in height with a terminal umbel of 3-8 flowers. The leaves on flowering stems are more lanceolate in outline and more widely spaced along the stem. Individual flowers have 6 tepals that are red in color and yellow or greenish towards their tips. The tepals are often spotted or striped with purple-brown on the interior surface. The fruit is a capsule. Parrot Lily can serve as a host for Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. Parrot Lily is a “pass along” plant given to neighbors and friends, and is seldom seen for sale. Its aggressive growth in the garden and small, drab flowers have limited its appeal. Several hybrid Alstroemeria’s are available from garden centers. They are less aggressive than Parrot Lily, but usually do poorly in our heat and humidity. Parrot Lily prefers a moist, sandy or loamy soil and full sun. It will grow in shade, but flowering will be limited. Once established it can be difficult to eradicate.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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