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Cressler, Alan
Zephyranthes atamasca
Zephyranthes atamasca (L.) Herb.
Atamasco Lily, Rain Lily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Amaryllis atamasca, Atamosco atamasca, Zephyranthes atamasca var. atamasca
USDA Symbol: zeat
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Small, colony-forming perennials, 8-15 in. tall, with thick, shiny, grooved, grass-like leaves forming loose clumps. Solitary flowers are borne on leafless stalks. The showy flowers are white (rarely pink), with six distinct lobes, united to form a funnel. They turn pink with age. From an underground bulb grow several flat leaves; leafless flower stalk, usually single and about as tall as the leaves, bears white lily-like flowers, tinged with pink.
The genus name alludes to Zephyrus, in Greek myth the west wind and husband of Chloris, goddess of flowers. Blooming generally around Eastertime, these flowers are popularly known as Easter Lilies. The species name, derived from a Powhatan word meaning "stained with red," describes the flower.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually 8 to 15 inches tall.
Flower: Flowers 3 to 4 inches long.
Fruit: Black.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually white, sometimes tinged or veined pink.
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , MD , MS , NC , SC , VANative Distribution: Southeast VA to FL & MS
Native Habitat: Ditches; wet woods; meadows; bottomlands; limestone outcrops; bluffs
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, humus-rich soils. Prefers acidic soils but also found on limestone.
Conditions Comments: Will bloom best with 1 to 2 hours of direct sun or 3 or more hours of dappled light. Not hardy where ground freezes deeply. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Provides vivid white blooms in the shade of Southeastern gardens.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Propagate by seed or division of mature clumps. Sow stored seed indoors or in a cold frame in late winter. Seeds sown upon collection should be planted in an outdoor bed. Mature plants can be increased by separating the basal offsets or dividing the cl
Seed Collection: Flowers are followed in 5-6 weeks by a green capsule. The plant is not conspicuous at this time so it should be marked when flowering. Allow the seeds to turn black before collecting. This should be in the first week of June. Store dry in a sealed, refrigerated container.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Zephyranthes atamasca in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Zephyranthes atamasca in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Zephyranthes atamasca
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-12Research By: TWC Staff