Zephyranthes | |
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Zephyranthes candida | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
Subfamily: | Amaryllidoideae |
Subtribe: | Hippeastrinae |
Genus: | Zephyranthes Herb.[1] |
Type species | |
Zephyranthes atamasco (L.) Herb. | |
Subgenera | |
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Zephyranthes /ˌzɛfɪˈrænθiːz/[3] is a genus of temperate and tropical bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae,[4] 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,[2] 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.
The name is derived from Ζέφυρος (Zephyrus), the Greek god of the west wind, and ἄνθος (anthos), meaning flower, referring to the slender stalks.[5]