Zephyranthes Rosea

''Zephyranthes rosea'', commonly known as the Cuban zephyrlily, rosy rain lily, rose fairy lily, rose zephyr lily or the pink rain lily, is a species of rain lily native to Peru and Colombia. They are widely cultivated as ornamentals and have become naturalized in tropical regions worldwide. Like all rain lilies, they are known for blooming only after heavy rains.

They contain potentially lethal toxins.

Description

''Zephyranthes rosea'' are perennial herbaceous monocots. They are small plants, reaching only in height. They bear five to six narrow and flattened dark green linear leaves, about wide, from spherical tunicate bulbs around in diameter.

The single funnel-shaped flowers are borne erect or slightly inclined on scapes around long. The spathes are around long and slightly divided only at the tip. The fragrant six-petaled flowers are around in diameter and in length. The perianth is bright pink with a green central perianth tube that is less than long. The six stamens are of different lengths – one of , one of , and four between . They are shorter than the style and inserted at the mouth of the perianth. The anthers are long.

The flowers develop into capsules that are divided deeply into three lobes. The seeds are shiny black and flattened.

Classification

''Zephyranthes rosea'' belongs to the genus ''Zephyranthes'' (rain lilies) of the subtribe Zephyranthinea of the tribe Hippeastreae. It is classified under the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). In broader classifications, they are sometimes included within the lily family (Liliaceae).

Nomenclature

''Zephyranthes rosea'' (like other rain lilies) are so named because they produce short-lived flowers only after seasonal heavy rains or storms. In ''Z. rosea'', this usually occurs during the late summer. The generic name ''Zephyranthes'' literally means "flowers of the west wind", from Greek ζέφυρος (''zéphuros'', an Anemoi) and ἄνθος (''anthos'', 'flower'). Zephyrus, the Greek personification of the west wind, is also associated with rainfall. The specific name comes from Latin for 'rosy'.

Other common names of ''Z. rosea'' include 'pink rain lily', 'pink fairy lily', 'pink magic lily', 'pink zephyr lily', 'rain flower', and 'rose rain lily'. It is also commonly known as ''duende rojo'' ('red dwarf') and ''leli de San Jose'' in Spanish; and ''rosafarbene'' and ''Windblume'' in German.

''Zephyranthes rosea'' is one of the two ''Zephyranthes'' species known as the ' pink rain lily'. The other species is '' Zephyranthes carinata'', usually referred to incorrectly as ''Zephyranthes grandiflora''. ''Z. carinata'' is often mislabeled as ''Z. rosea'' by merchants. ''Z. carinata'' can be distinguished from true ''Z. rosea'' by their much larger flowers with a deeper pink coloration. ''Z. rosea'' also has 24 chromosomes in diploid somatic cells, in contrast to 48 in ''Z. carinata''.

Another similar species known under the same common names is ''Zephyranthes robusta''. They can be differentiated from ''Z. rosea'' by having paler pink and larger flowers.

Distribution and habitat

''Zephyranthes rosea'' is native to Peru and Colombia. It is widely planted in warmer regions around the world and is reportedly naturalized in Florida, India, the West Indies, many of the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans They are common in recently disturbed land and grassy areas (like lawns and meadows) that receive periodical rainfall.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
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Uses

''Zephyranthes rosea'' are usually propagated by dividing clumps of bulbs, but can also be grown from seeds. They are widely cultivated as ornamental plants. They are relatively low-maintenance, becoming dormant during extended periods of drought. They are less tolerant of colder temperatures than other species of ''Zephyranthes'', however.

In India, they are also used in folk medicine, along with '' Zephyranthes flava''.

Toxicity

The bulbs of ''Z. rosea'', like other members of ''Zephyranthes'' and ''Habranthus'', contain various toxic alkaloids including lycorine and haemanthamine. They can cause vomiting, convulsions, and death to humans, livestock, and poultry.

Pests and diseases

Pests of ''Z. rosea'' include chewing insects. They are also vulnerable to the necrotrophic fungus ''Botrytis cinerea''.

See also

*''Zephyranthes atamasca'' – the Atamasco lily
*''Zephyranthes candida'' – the white rain lily
*'' Zephyranthes puertoricensis'' – the Puerto Rican zephyr lily
*''Habranthus'' – a closely related genus

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q932524

rosea
Garden plants
Plants described in 1824
Flora of Colombia
Flora of Peru