Zephyranthes minuta

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Zephyranthes minuta
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Zephyranthes
Species:
Z. minuta
Binomial name
Zephyranthes minuta
(Kunth) D.Dietr.
Synonyms [1]
  • Amaryllis minimaKer Gawl.
  • Amaryllis minutaKunth
  • Amaryllis striatulaSchult. & Schult.f.
  • Zephyranthes ackermannia(Herb.) M.Roem.
  • Zephyranthes grahamianaHerb.
  • Zephyranthes grandifloraLindl.
  • Zephyranthes lilacinaLiebm.
  • Zephyranthes pallidaM.Roem.
  • Zephyranthes sessilis var. ackermanniaHerb.
  • Zephyranthes sessilis var. striata(Herb.) Herb.
  • Zephyranthes sessilis var. verecunda(Herb.) Herb.
  • Zephyranthes striataHerb.
  • Zephyranthes verecundaHerb.

Zephyranthes minuta is a perennial flowering plant species also referred to as Zephyranthes grandiflora. The latter is, however, an illegitimate name because the original author in coining the name Zephyranthes grandiflora listed the older name Amaryllis minuta as a synonym. [2] This makes "minuta" [3] the acceptable epithet under the ICN. Confusingly, Z. grandiflora is also used as a synonym for Zephyranthes carinata , [4] [5] [6] and this usage is very common in horticultural contexts. [7]

Contents

In the UK Z. minuta is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [8] [9] [ dubious discuss ]

Description

Zephyranthes minuta is a bulb-forming perennial with shiny green leaves up to 7 mm wide. Flowers in wild specimens are usually pink, funnel-shaped, up to 9 cm long. Cultivated specimens are frequently larger, often with extra tepals. [10]

Distribution

Zephyranthes minuta [10] is native to Mexico and Guatemala.

Chemical composition

The following compounds are found in this plant: Pancratistatin, Zephgrabetaine, Lycorine, Galanthine, Lycoramine, Hamayne, Hamanthamine, Tortuosine, Ungeremin. [11]

References

  1. The Plant List
  2. Lindley, John. 1925. Zephyranthes grandiflora, Large-flowered Zephyranthes. Botanical Register 11: pl. 902
  3. Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von, Bonpland, Aimé Jacques Alexandre & Karl Sigismund Kunth. 1816. Nova Genera et Species Plantarum (quarto ed.) 1: 278. Amaryllis minuta
  4. "Zephyranthes grandiflora auct". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 5 October 2025.{{citation}}: Unknown parameter |validity= ignored (help)
  5. "Zephyranthes carinata Herbert, Bot. Mag. 52: t. 2594. 1825". Flora of China, www.eFloras.org. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  6. Ji Zhanhe & Alan W. Meerow (2000). "Amaryllidaceae" (PDF). Flora of China (中国植物志). 24. Science Press & the Missouri Botanical Garden: 264–273. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2011. When the name Zephyranthes grandiflora Lindley was published for this species [i.e. Zephyranthes carinata] earlier in 1825 than Z. carinata, the still earlier name Amaryllis minuta Kunth (not now considered to be the same species) was cited in synonymy. Therefore, Zephyranthes grandiflora is nomenclaturally superfluous and an illegitimate name.
  7. Plant Finder search results: Rain lily Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  8. "Zephyranthes minuta". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  9. AGM Plants August 2012. p. 120.
  10. 1 2 Dietrich, David Nathaniel Friedrich. 1840. Synopsis Plantarum 2: 1176, Zephyranthes minuta
  11. "Katoch D and Singh B, Med Aromat Plants" (PDF).