Zephyranthes atamasco (L.) Herb.

Atamasco Lily; Rain Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Atamasco Lily is a native herbaceous perennial in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). Atamasco Lily can be found in the southern two-thirds of Alabama. It occurs in rich, moist hardwood forests, along streams and creeks, on ravine slopes, and in low pastures. It is a perennial from a bulb. The leaves are linear, entire, glabrous, and shiny green. Flowers are solitary, funnelform, white in color, and fragrant. The flowers may be tinged with pink, especially as they age. The fruit is a three-angled capsule with many flat, papery black seed. Atamasco Lily is one of two native species of Zephyranthes in Alabama. Three introduced species have also been collected in the state. The genus name comes from the Greek word Zephyros meaning west wind, and anthos meaning flower. Atamasco is a Native American name for this species. Many of the introduced species are called Rain Lilies or Hurricane Lilies. These species flower during the summer, usually after heavy rains. Our native species are spring ephemerals. Another common name for this species is Easter Lilly. They are often gathered to decorate rural churches for the Easter service. The plant is easily transplanted as the bulbs are fairly shallow, and many homeowners have moved them into their landscapes. Rather than removing plants from the wild, try growing them from seed. Sow the seed on the soil surface or only lightly cover them. Cover the pot with plastic to keep it moist and the seeds should soon germinate into small grass-like plants with a single leaf. When they are large enough to easily handle, transplant them into a flat or larger pot. By the second year they are usually large enough to plant outdoors. Plants will usually flower from seed in around three years. Bulbs or plants can also be purchased from nurseries that sell native plants and from some bulb companies.--A. Diamond

Numerous treatments spell the eptithet "atamasca". This error arises from the original publication where Linnaeus published the basionym as Amaryllis "atamasca" in 1753. However, he later corrected it to "atamasco" in Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 420. 1762, which is the spelling that should be used.--Tropicos.org

Native FACW (NWPL)

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