Zephyranthes atamasco (Linnaeus) Herbert. Common name: Common Atamasco-lily. Phenology: Feb-Apr; Apr-Jun. Habitat: Bottomland forests and adjacent road shoulders, wet meadows, sometimes in upland forests over mafic rocks. Distribution: Se. and sc. VA south to n. FL, west to s. MS.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: The correct spelling of the epithet is apparently ‘atamasco’; a conservation proposal (to resolve the uncertainty) has been made and will likely be accepted.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, G, GW1, POWO, RAB; = Atamosco atamasco (L.) Greene — S, S13; = Hippeastrum atamasco (L.) Christenh. & Byng — Christenhusz, Fay, & Byng (2018); = n/a — Tat; = Zephyranthes atamasca (L.) Herb. — FNA26, K4, Va, orthographic variant; = Zephyranthes atamasca (L.) Herb. var. atamasca — NS, WH3, orthographic variant; Amaryllis atamasco Linnaeus. Basionym: Amaryllis atamasco L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Zephyranthes atamasca - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (name change)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (name change)
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Colony-forming, scapose perennial from a bulb; found in bottomland forests and adjacent road shoulders, wet meadows, and sometimes in upland forests over mafic rocks.
Stems: Stem usually a single, hollow flowering scape that may be tinged red.
Leaves: Leaves basal, linear and grass-like, 6-18 in. long, sprawling, shiny and slightly succulent.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flower solitary on the flowering scape, white, 2-4 in. wide, funnel-shaped with 6 spreading tepals that turn pink after pollination, fragrant.
Fruits: Fruit a more or less round, 3-sectioned capsule.
Comments:
Height: 6-8 in.
plant sale text: The Atamasco-lily produces a showy white lily-like flower, three to four inches across, in the springtime. It is seen growing in rich wet woodlands and meadows. Its underground bulb also produces several flat, elongated leaves. The genus Zephyranthes is named after Zephyrus, who according to Greek mythology was the west wind and husband to Chloris, the goddess of flowers.
bloom table text:
description: Colony-forming, scapose perennial from a bulb; found in bottomland forests and adjacent road shoulders, wet meadows, and sometimes in upland forests over mafic rocks.
stems: Stem usually a single, hollow flowering scape that may be tinged red.
leaves: Leaves basal, linear and grass-like, 6-18 in. long, sprawling, shiny and slightly succulent.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flower solitary on the flowering scape, white, 2-4 in. wide, funnel-shaped with 6 spreading tepals that turn pink after pollination, fragrant.
fruits: Fruit a more or less round, 3-sectioned capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code: 1
native range: southeastern United States
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