Zephyranthes candida (Lindl.) Herb.

Autumn Zephyr Lily; Fairy Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Autumn Zephyr Lily is an introduced herbaceous perennial from a bulb in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It is native to South America (Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay), but is widely planted around the world as an ornamental. It Alabama it can be found in the southern third of the state. Autumn Zephyr Lily occurs around old home sites, on roadsides, in cemeteries, and in lawns. It is a perennial from an oval bulb. The flowers appear in late summer or autumn, usually after a heavy rain. The leaves are linear, glabrous, dark green in color, and persist throughout the winter months. Flowers are solitary on an erect scape 3-12 inches in length. The scape is green in color and glabrous. The corolla is white or pinkish in color and rotate. Each flower has 6 white tepals and 6 stamens with yellow anthers. The stigma is capitate. The fruit is a capsule with numerous flat, papery seed. The genus name comes from the Greek words zephyros meaning the west wind, which was associated with rain. The members of this genus are commonly called rain lilies since they often flower following heavy rains. Autumn Zephyr Lily is commonly available from nurseries that sell bulbs. It prefers a moist soil in full sun. Plants can be divided as the bulbs multiply, or it can be grown from seed.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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