Zephyranthes rosea
Encyclopedia
Zephyranthes rosea, commonly known as the Cuban zephyr lily or the pink rain lily, is a species of rain lily
native to the Caribbean
. They are widely cultivated as ornamental
s 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 toxin
s.
monocots. They are small plants, reaching only 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 in) in height. They bear five to six narrow and flattened dark green linear leaves, about 3 to 4 mm (0.118110236220472 to 0.15748031496063 in) wide, from spherical tunicate bulb
s around 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.590551181102362 to 0.984251968503937 in) in diameter.
The single funnel-shaped flowers are borne erect or slightly inclined on scape
s around 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long. The spathes are around 2 centimetre long and slightly divided only at the tip. The fragrant six-petal
ed flowers are around 2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in) in diameter and 3 to 3.5 cm (1.2 to 1.4 in) in length. The perianth
is bright pink with a green central perianth tube that is less than 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) long. The six stamens are of different lengths – one of 11 mm (0.433070866141732 in), one of 16 mm (0.62992125984252 in), and four between 12 to 13 mm (0.47244094488189 to 0.511811023622047 in). They are shorter than the style and inserted at the mouth of the perianth. The anthers are 3 to 6 mm (0.118110236220472 to 0.236220472440945 in) long.
The flowers develop into capsule
s that are divided deeply into three lobes. The seeds are shiny black and flattened.
(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
).
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.
Z. 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 chromosome
s in diploid somatic cell
s, in contrast to 48 in Z. carinata.
Another similar species known under the same common names is Habranthus robustus. They can be differentiated from Z. rosea by having paler pink and larger flowers.
, particularly Cuba
, Puerto Rico
, Guadeloupe, and Martinique
. It has been introduced and naturalized to tropical North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, and some Pacific Islands
. They are common in recently disturbed land and grassy areas (like lawns and meadows) that receive periodical rainfall.
s. 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.
s 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.
.
Rain lily
Rain lily or rainlily is the common name for the following closely related genera of flowering plants:*Zephyranthes*Habranthus*Cooperia...
native to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. They are widely cultivated as ornamental
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
s 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 toxin
Toxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...
s.
Description
Z. rosea are perennial herbaceousHerbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
monocots. They are small plants, reaching only 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 in) in height. They bear five to six narrow and flattened dark green linear leaves, about 3 to 4 mm (0.118110236220472 to 0.15748031496063 in) wide, from spherical tunicate bulb
Bulb
A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases. The leaves often function as food storage organs during dormancy.A bulb's leaf bases, known as scales, generally do not support leaves, but contain food reserves to enable the plant to survive adverse conditions. At the center of the bulb is...
s around 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.590551181102362 to 0.984251968503937 in) in diameter.
The single funnel-shaped flowers are borne erect or slightly inclined on scape
Scape
In biology, the term scape may refer to:* The first segment of an insect antenna* A finger-like appendage of the epigyne of a female spider* Scape , a flowering stemScape may also refer to:...
s around 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long. The spathes are around 2 centimetre long and slightly divided only at the tip. The fragrant six-petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
ed flowers are around 2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in) in diameter and 3 to 3.5 cm (1.2 to 1.4 in) in length. The perianth
Perianth
The term perianth has two similar but separate meanings in botany:* In flowering plants, the perianth are the outer, sterile whorls of a flower...
is bright pink with a green central perianth tube that is less than 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) long. The six stamens are of different lengths – one of 11 mm (0.433070866141732 in), one of 16 mm (0.62992125984252 in), and four between 12 to 13 mm (0.47244094488189 to 0.511811023622047 in). They are shorter than the style and inserted at the mouth of the perianth. The anthers are 3 to 6 mm (0.118110236220472 to 0.236220472440945 in) long.
The flowers develop into capsule
Capsule (fruit)
In botany a capsule is a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. A capsule is a structure composed of two or more carpels that in most cases is dehiscent, i.e. at maturity, it splits apart to release the seeds within. A few capsules are indehiscent, for example...
s that are divided deeply into three lobes. The seeds are shiny black and flattened.
Classification
Zephyranthes rosea belongs to the genus ZephyranthesZephyranthes
Zephyranthes is a genus of 71 species in the Amaryllis family . There are numerous hybrids and cultivars. Common names for species in this genus include fairy lily, rainflower, zephyr lily, magic lily, Atamasco lily, and rain lily.The name is derived from Ζέφυρος , the Greek god of the west...
(rain lilies) of the subtribe Zephyranthinea
Zephyranthinea
Zephyranthinea is a subtribe of plants classified under the tribe Hippeastreae. It belongs to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family . They are generally small plants with solitary flowers. Spathes are fused forming a tube surrounding the pedicel of the flower. Most of its members...
of the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Hippeastreae
Hippeastreae
Hippeastreae is a tribe of plants belonging to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family . Species in this tribe are distributed in South America. Flowers are large and showy, zygomorphic, with the stamens in varying lengths, inflorescence bracts are often fused basally . The seeds are...
. It is classified under the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidoideae is the subfamily of flowering plants that takes its name from the genus Amaryllis. It is part of the family Amaryllidaceae, in order Asparagales...
). In broader classifications, they are sometimes included within the lily family (Liliaceae
Liliaceae
The Liliaceae, or the lily family, is a family of monocotyledons in the order Liliales. Plants in this family have linear leaves, mostly with parallel veins but with several having net venation , and flower arranged in threes. Several have bulbs, while others have rhizomes...
).
Nomenclature
Z. 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 nameGeneric name
Generic name may be:*Generic name, name of a biological genus*Generic name, International Nonproprietary Name for a drug*A placeholder name, referring to nobody in particular, such as Joe Bloggs or John Q. Public...
Zephyranthes literally means "flowers of the west wind", from Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
ζέφυρος (zéphuros, an Anemoi
Anemoi
In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were Greek wind gods who were each ascribed a cardinal direction from which their respective winds came , and were each associated with various seasons and weather conditions...
) and ἄνθος (anthos, 'flower'). Zephyrus, the Greek personification of the west wind
West wind
A west wind is a wind that blows from the west, in an eastward direction. In Western tradition, it has usually been considered the mildest and most favorable of the directional winds....
, is also associated with rainfall. The specific name comes from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
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.
Z. rosea is one of the two Zephyranthes species known as the 'pink rain lily
Pink rain lily
Pink rain lily, pink fairy lily, pink zephyr lily, and pink magic lily are the common names of three species of flowering plants belonging to the genera Zephyranthes and Habranthus :*Zephyranthes rosea...
'. 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 chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
s in diploid somatic cell
Somatic cell
A somatic cell is any biological cell forming the body of an organism; that is, in a multicellular organism, any cell other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte or undifferentiated stem cell...
s, in contrast to 48 in Z. carinata.
Another similar species known under the same common names is Habranthus robustus. They can be differentiated from Z. rosea by having paler pink and larger flowers.
Distribution and habitat
Z. rosea is native to the CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, particularly Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Guadeloupe, and Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. It has been introduced and naturalized to tropical North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, and some Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
. They are common in recently disturbed land and grassy areas (like lawns and meadows) that receive periodical rainfall.
Uses
Z. rosea are usually propagated by dividing clumps of bulbs, but can also be grown from seeds. They are widely cultivated as ornamental plantOrnamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
s. 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
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, they are also used in folk medicine
Folk medicine
-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies...
, along with Zephyranthes flava.
Toxicity
The bulbBulb
A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases. The leaves often function as food storage organs during dormancy.A bulb's leaf bases, known as scales, generally do not support leaves, but contain food reserves to enable the plant to survive adverse conditions. At the center of the bulb is...
s of Z. rosea, like other members of Zephyranthes and Habranthus, contain various toxic alkaloids including lycorine
Lycorine
Lycorine is a toxic crystalline alkaloid found in several plant species, such as the bush lily , Lycoris, and Narcissus. It may be highly poisonous, or even lethal, when ingested in certain quantities. Symptoms of lycorine toxicity are vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions...
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 cinereaBotrytis cinerea
Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as botrytis bunch rot; in horticulture, it is usually called grey mould or gray mold.The fungus gives rise to two different kinds of...
.
See also
- Zephyranthes atamasco – the Atamasco lily
- Zephyranthes candidaZephyranthes candidaZephyranthes candida, known as the Fairy Lily or White Rain Lily, is a native to the Rio de la Plata region of South America including Argentina and Uruguay but also native to Paraguay and Chile....
– the white rain lily - Zephyranthes puertoricensisZephyranthes puertoricensisZephyranthes puertoricensis, known commonly as the Puerto Rico zephyr lily, white fairy lily, and white zephyr lily, is a perennial geophyte in the flowering plant family, Amaryllis. Z. puertoricensis is native to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and northern South America where it is a member of low...
– the Puerto Rican zephyr lily - HabranthusHabranthusHabranthus is a genus of tender herbaceous flowering bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. The genus was first identified by pioneering bulb enthusiast William Herbert in 1824.-Description:...
– a closely related genus