Family - Liliaceae

Stems:

N/A

Leaves:

N/A

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Flowering - February - April.

Habitat - Low woods, wet meadows, bluffs, limestone outcrops, roadsides.

Origin - Native to North America.

Other information - This striking species can be found mainly in the southeast corner of Alabama. The plant is easy to identify becasue of its long, linear leaves and big white flowers. The plant is very popular with wildflower enthusiasts and is sometimes collected and transplanted. It grows well from seed so established wild plants should be left alone.
The genus name Zephyranthes derives from the Greek "Zephyrus" who was the west wind and the husband of Chloris, goddess of flowers. Zephyranthes means "flowers of the west wind". In the western United States the flowers of this genus appear shortly after heavy rains.
The species epithet atamasca is Native American for "stained with red" referring to the flowers which can have red splotches at the apex of the tepals.
The species epithet is commonly seen spelled as atamasco.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken somewhere in North Carolina, 4-27-03.

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