Zephyranthes grandiflora

Leaf blade shiny green, to 7 mm wide. Spathe 3–4 cm. Flowers usually inclined; perianth pink, funnelform, 5.6–9 cm; perianth tube green, (1.2–)1.8–2.3 cm, increasing in diam., ca. 1/4 (1/5–1/3) perianth length, usually less than or equaling filament length, ca.1/3–1/2 spathe length; tepals reflexed; stamens diverging, appearing equal; filaments filiform, 2–3 cm; anthers 13–22 mm; style longer than perianth tube; stigma 3-fid, exserted more than 2 mm beyond anthers; pedicel 1.3–3.8 cm, usually shorter than spathe. 2n = 48.

Phenology: Flowering spring–early summer (Apr–Jul).
Habitat: Open areas in or near moist woods
Elevation: 0–100 m

Introduced; Ala., Fla., La., Miss., Tex., e Mexico, West Indies, Central America.

Discussion

Zephyranthes grandiflora frequently displays flowers with extra parts and has been widely distributed as an ornamental. Flowers with extra parts have been seen in Z. atamasca, Z. candida, Z. rosea, and Z. treatiae. Zephyranthes grandiflora also has been found to have a variable number of chromosomes in cells from single plants (R. O. Flagg 1961).

As a rule, the flowers of Zephyranthes species having high chromosome numbers, 2n = 48 or more, are built for self-fertilization, with the stigma borne very near (within 2 mm), among, or beneath the anthers (R. O. Flagg and W. S. Flory 1962). However, Zephyranthes grandiflora is an exception and often exhibits poor fertility.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa