Zephyranthes formosissima (formerly Sprekelia formosissima), also known as Aztec lilies or Jacobean lilies, is a species of bulbous perennial herb in the family Amaryllidaceae endemic to Mexico. After its former genus Sprekelia has been merged into the genus Zephyranthes in 2019, it was formally transferred to Zephyranthes in 2024.
Description
Flowering Zephyranthes formosissima cultivated in a pot
Zephyranthes formosissima flower
Zephyranthes formosissima bulb with scale bar (10 cm)
Zephyranthes formosissima is a bulbous, perennial herb with ovate to globose, up to 5 cm wide, long-necked bulbs, bearing 3–6 annual, strap-shaped, linear, bright green, sometimes glaucous, up to 50 cm long, and 2 cm wide leaves. The bulbs produce offsets. The roots are fibrous.
The 1–2 flowered, 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. 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.
Various chromosome counts have been observed: 2n = 60, 120, 150, 180.
Vegetative characteristics
Zephyranthes formosissima is a bulbous, perennial herb with ovate to globose, up to 5 cm wide, long-necked bulbs, bearing 3–6 annual, strap-shaped, linear, bright green, sometimes glaucous, up to 50 cm long, and 2 cm wide leaves. The bulbs produce offsets. The roots are fibrous.
