Habranthus (copperlily) [1] was a formerly recognized genus of tender herbaceous flowering bulbs in the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the family Amaryllidaceae. [2] It is now included within a more broadly circumscribed genus Zephyranthes . The genus was first identified by pioneering bulb enthusiast William Herbert in 1824.
Habranthus was formerly regarded separate from Zephyranthes ; distinctive features included holding its flowers at an angle rather than upright, and possessing unequal stamens. [3] At one stage, Habranthus was considered a subgenus of the closely related Hippeastrum . [4] It was later treated as a full genus in the tribe Hippeastreae. However, molecular phylogenetic studies from 2000 onwards showed that although Hippeastreae was monophyletic, many of the genera placed in the tribe were not; in particular, Habranthus, Zephyranthes and Sprekelia formed a complex in which traditionally placed species were intermingled. Accordingly, in 2019, a broad circumscription of Zephyranthes was proposed, including the former genus Habranthus. [5] This proposal has been accepted by Plants of the World Online, [6] among other taxonomic databases.
In the United States, species formerly placed in Habranthus, like other rain lilies, are regarded as "heirloom plants", although not widely used in mainstream landscapes, perhaps because their bloom time, dependent on rain, is erratic. Nevertheless, the bulbs are rugged and easy to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10 and are recognized among bulb specialists as possessing distinct landscape value in appropriate areas of the world. [7] In colder regions they may be grown in sheltered sites, or in pots kept frost-free in winter. [3]
The most commonly grown species are the pink-flowered Zephyranthes robusta (formerly Habranthus robustus) and the yellow-flowered Zephyranthes tubispatha (formerly Habranthus tubispathus). [3]
Hippeastrum is a genus of about 90 species, and over 600 hybrids and cultivars, of perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico south to Argentina and on some islands in the Caribbean. The majority have large, fleshy bulbs—usually about the size of a softball—and tall, broad, strap-like leaves that are (generally) evergreen, and large red or purple flowers. Numerous colors and cultivars have been created over the past hundred years.
Zephyranthes is a genus of temperate and tropical bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, native to the Americas and widely cultivated as ornamentals. Following the expansion of the genus in 2019, which now includes the genera Habranthus and Sprekelia, there are about 200 recognized species, as well as numerous hybrids and cultivars. Common names for species in this genus include fairy lily, rainflower, zephyr lily, magic lily, Atamasco lily, and rain lily.
Zephyranthes carinata, commonly known as the rosepink zephyr lily or pink rain lily, is a perennial flowering plant native to Mexico, Colombia and Central America. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental and naturalized in the West Indies, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, the southeastern United States from Texas to Florida, Zimbabwe, South Africa, China, Korea, the Ryukyu Islands, Assam, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Queensland, Society Islands, Kiribati, and Caroline Islands.
Sprekelia is a genus of Mesoamerican plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. Sprekelia plants are sometimes called Aztec lilies or Jacobean lilies although they are not true lilies. This genus has been submerged in Zephyranthes, but as of January 2023 is accepted by Plants of the World Online with a single species, Sprekelia formosissima, endemic to Mexico.
Zephyranthes robusta, synonym Habranthus robustus, commonly known as the Brazilian copperlily, pink fairy lily or the pink rain lily, is a species of herbaceous flowering bulb. It is native to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, but is now naturalized in Florida, Colombia, South Africa, and Mauritius.
Cooperia was a genus of tender herbaceous perennials native to South America and the southern reaches of North America. Along with the former genus Habranthus, Cooperia is now included in a more broadly circumscribed genus Zephyranthes, a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. All three genera were commonly known as rain lilies because of their propensity for blooming after rains. Species formerly placed in Cooperia bloom in summer and fall.
Rhodophiala was a genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family. It consisted of about 30 South American species distributed in southern Brazil, Argentina, and, specially, in Chile. Most of the species are known colloquially as añañuca. It has now been submerged in Zephyranthes.
Rhodolirium is a small South American genus in the tribe Hippeastreae of the family Amaryllidaceae. Although originally described by Philippi in 1858 it has long remained buried in other taxa, principally Hippeastrum and more recently Rhodophiala. Only in recent years has it been rehabilitated.
Zephyranthes puertoricensis, known commonly as the Puerto Rico zephyr lily, is a species of flowering plant in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It is native to the West Indies, Panama, Colombia, Suriname and Venezuela. It is a member of low elevation grasslands communities and moist forest habitat.
Zephyranthes rosea, commonly known as the Cuban zephyrlily, rosy rain lily, rose fairy lily, rose zephyr lily or the pink rain lily, is a species of rain lily native to Peru and Colombia. They are widely cultivated as ornamentals and have become naturalized in tropical regions worldwide. Like all rain lilies, they are known for blooming only after heavy rains.
Zephyranthinae was a subtribe of plants classified under the tribe Hippeastreae. It belonged to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They are generally small plants with solitary flowers. Spathes are fused forming a tube surrounding the pedicel of the flower. Most of its members were commonly known as rain lilies. It included four genera:
Hippeastreae is a tribe of plants belonging to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). 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 flattened, winged or D-shaped. Reported basic chromosome numbers are x= 8-13, 17, and higher. All the species in this tribe present a remarkable aesthetic interest and horticultural value.
Pyrolirion, commonly known as fire lilies or flame lilies, is a small genus of herbaceous, bulb-forming South American plants in the Amaryllis family, native to Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.
Amaryllidoideae is a subfamily of monocot flowering plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, order Asparagales. The most recent APG classification, APG III, takes a broad view of the Amaryllidaceae, which then has three subfamilies, one of which is Amaryllidoideae, and the others are Allioideae and Agapanthoideae. The subfamily consists of about seventy genera, with over eight hundred species, and a worldwide distribution.
Hippeastrinae is a subtribe of plants classified under the tribe Hippeastreae. It belongs to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae).
Phycella is a genus of herbaceous, perennial bulbous flowering plants belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. The genus consists of five species distributed from central Chile to northwestern Argentina.
ZephyrantheaeSalisb. is a now obsolete tribe within the American clade of family Amaryllidaceae, containing five genera.
Hippeastrum mirum is a species of herbaceous perennial bulbous flowering plants in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It was formerly treated as Tocantinia mira.
Zephyranthes martinezii, is a species of flowering plant in the rain lily genus Zephyranthes, family Amaryllidaceae, native to northern Argentina. As its synonym Habranthus martinezii it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.