Alstroemeria (/ˌælstrɪˈmɪəriə/), commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of
flowering plants in the family
Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to
South America, although some have become naturalized in the
United States,
Mexico,
Australia,
New Zealand,
Madeira and the
Canary Islands. Almost all of the species are restricted to one of two distinct centers of diversity; one in central
Chile, the other in eastern
Brazil. Species of Alstroemeria from Chile are winter-growing plants, while those of Brazil are summer growing. All are long-lived
perennials except A. graminea, a diminutive
annual from the
Atacama Desert of Chile.
Description
Plants of this genus grow from a cluster of
tubers. They send up fertile and sterile stems, the fertile stems of some species reaching 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in height. The leaves are alternately arranged and
resupinate, twisted on the
petioles so that the undersides face up. The leaves are variable in shape and the blades have smooth edges. The flowers are solitary or borne in
umbels. The flower has six
petals each up to 5 centimeters (2.0 inches) long. They come in many shades of red, orange, yellow, green, purple, pink, and white, flecked and striped and streaked with darker colors. There are six curving
stamens. The
stigma has three lobes. The fruit is a
capsule with three valves. Alstroemeria are classified as an inferior monocot, meaning the petals are located above the
ovary and the leaf veins are parallel.[3]
An Alstroemeria cultivar
Alstroemeria capsule viewed from above, showing anatomical detail, including apical beak,
vascular bundles (in section) in ribs etc.
Alstroemeria seed capsule viewed from side, showing winged ribs and (triangular pyramidal) apical beak.
The genus was named after the
Swedish baron
Clas Alströmer (1736–1794), a friend of Linnaeus.
Cultivation and uses
Many
hybrids and at least 190
cultivars have been developed, featuring many markings and colors, including white, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and lavender. The most popular and showy hybrids commonly grown today result from crosses between species from Chile (winter-growing) with species from Brazil (summer-growing). This strategy has overcome the florists' problem of seasonal dormancy and resulted in plants that are
evergreen, or nearly so, and flower for most of the year. This breeding work derives mainly from trials that began in the United States in the 1980s; the main breeding is done nowadays by companies in the Netherlands. The flower, which resembles a miniature lily, is very popular for bouquets and flower arrangements in the commercial cut
flower trade. These delicate flowers survive up to 14 days in water without any signs of shrivelling.[5]
Most cultivars available for the home garden will bloom in the late spring and early summer. The roots are hardy to a temperature of 23 °F (−5 °C). The plant requires at least six hours of morning sunlight, regular water, and well-drained soil.
AGM cultivars
The following cultivars have gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit, all with a hardiness rating of H4 (Hardy – average winter −10 to −5 °C (14 to 23 °F)) apart from 'Friendship' (H5: Hardy – cold winter −15 to −10 °C (5 to 14 °F)):