Zephyranthes formosissima

 ( Formosissima ) 

Zephyranthes formosissima (formerly Sprekelia formosissima), also known as Aztec lilies or Jacobean lilies, is a species of bulbous perennial herb in the family Amaryllidaceae Endemism to Mexico. After its former genus Sprekelia has been merged into the genus Zephyranthes in 2019, it was formally transferred to Zephyranthes in 2024.

Sprekelia formosissima /ref> perennial herb with ovate to globose, up to 5 cm wide,Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. (n.d.-c). Sprekelia formosissima /ref> long-necked bulbs, bearing 3–6 Sprekelia formosissima (L.) HERB. (n.d.). Botanischen Garten Der Justus-Liebig-Universität. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from http://fb08heilpflanze.bot1.bio.uni-giessen.de/zeigePflanzeDetails?p_id=963 annual, strap-shaped, Sprekelia formosissima /ref> linear, bright green, sometimes glaucous, up to 50 cm long, and 2 cm wide leaves. The bulbs produce offsets. The roots are fibrous.Alejandro, V. R. (2017). Variabilidad genética y distribución espacial del lirio azteca ( Sprekelia formosissima).

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Generative characteristics

The 1–2 flowered,Bischoff, G. W. (1840).  Lehrbuch der Botanik. p. 890. Deutschland: Schweizerbart. but usually solitary inflorescence with a hollow, 40–70(–90) cm tall scape has zygomorphic, bright red flowers. The flowers has 6 tepals. The androecium consists of 6 stamens.Vilmorin's illustrirte Blumengärtnerei: 1872-1873. Translation of Les Fleurs de pleine terre, ed. 3. (iii, 1363 p. ; 1235 ill.). p. 83. (1873). Deutschland: Wiegandt, Hempel & Parey. The gynoecium consists of 3 carpels. The stigma is trifid. The triangular 1.5–2.7 cm wide capsule fruit bears black, flat, winged, 9–11 mm long, and 6.5–8 mm wide seeds.

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Cytology

Various chromosome counts have been observed: 2n = 60, 120, 150, 180.

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Taxonomy

It was fist published as Amaryllis formosissima by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. /ref> Amaryllis formosissima /ref> A new genus Sprekelia was created by Lorenz Heister in 1748, Sprekelia /ref> honouring Johann Heinrich von Spreckelsen (1691–1764), who supplied the plants to Lorenz Heister.Heister, Lorenz 1755. Geschreibung eines neuen Geschlechts 15, 19. Heister however did not transfer any species to the new genus. It was placed into the genus Sprekelia as Sprekelia formosissima by William Herbert in 1821. The genus Sprekelia was merged into Zephyranthes , due to genetic analyses. As Sprekelia is the earlier name than Zephyranthes , it was proposed to conserve Zephyranthes against Sprekelia .García, N., Meerow, A. W., Arroyo‐Leuenberger, S., & Judd, W. S. (2019). (2692) Proposal to conserve Zephyranthes (Amaryllidaceae), nom. cons. against an additional name, Sprekelia. Taxon, 68(3), 596-596. Upon acceptance of this proposal, Sprekelia formosissima was merged into Zephyranthes as Zephyranthes formosissima published by Zhen-Hao Feng in 2024.Z.-H. Feng, Z.-J. Huang, B. Liu, and S. Liu. 2024. Nomenclatural novelties for intergeneric nothotaxa. Phytoneuron 2024-85: 1–41. Published 18 December 2024. ISSN 2153-733X Zephyranthes formosissima /ref>Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.-ar). Zephyranthes formosissima /ref> It is placed in the tribe Hippeastreae.

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Etymology

The specific epithet formosissima means "most beautiful" or "best formed".

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Hybridisation

There are crosses between the genera Hippeastrum and Sprekelia, referred to as "x Hippeastrelia", as well as at least one cross between the three genera Hippeastrum, Sprekelia, and Zephyranthes, x Howardara.

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Distribution and habitat

Zephyranthes formosissima is Endemism to Mexico. It has been introduced to the Mariana Islands. It occurs in various habitats, ranging from hot and xeric to temperate and humid conditions. It grows in rocky, loamy, or sandy soilsBorys, M. W., Leszczyńska-Borys, H., & Galván, J. L. (2005). Variants in Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herbert. on rocky slopes and outcrops.

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Ecology

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Pollination

The flowers are adapted to hummingbird pollination.Tapia-Campos, E., Rodriguez-Dominguez, J. M., Revuelta-Arreola, M. M., Van Tuyl, J. M., & Barba-Gonzalez, R. (2012). Mexican Geophytes II. The Genera Hymenocallis, Sprekelia and Zephyranthes. Floriculture and Ornamental Biotechnology, 6(SI 1), 129-139.Meerow, A.W., Snijman, D.A. (1998). Amaryllidaceae. In: Kubitzki, K. (eds) Flowering Plants · Monocotyledons. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, vol 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

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Cultivation

Zephyranthes formosissima is common in cultivation, planted in warm climates or raised in pots in colder climates, or planted and lifted, much as the gladiolus. Even when well grown, bulbs often do not bloom every year. Brent And Becky's Bulbs: Product Profile - Sprekelia - formosissima Shields Gardens The Amaryllis Family: Sprekelia The Royal Horticultural Society recommends it as an interesting choice for heated conservatories or greenhouses.

Categories: Formosissima, Endemic Flora Of Mexico, Plants Described In 1753