Herbs, perennial, from fascicles of fusiform tubers. Stems mostly simple; fertile stems to 1 m or more; sterile stems shorter, more leafy. Leaves alternate; petiole often twisted so as to invert leaf; blade parallel-veined, linear to ovate, margins entire. Inflorescences terminal, umbellate [or 1-flowered]. Flowers slightly zygomorphic; tepals 6, distinct, red, orange, purple, green, or white, frequently spotted, to 5 cm; stamens 6, inserted on perianth base, declinate, usually unequal; ovary inferior; style slender; stigma 3-lobed, filiform. Fruits capsular, 3-valved, dehiscence loculicidal.

Distribution

North America, South America.

Discussion

Species ca. 60 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Aker, S. and W. Healy. 1990. The phytogeography of the genus Alstroemeria. Herbertia 46: 76–87.

Uphoff, J. C. T. 1952. A review of the genus Alstroemeria. Pl. Life 8: 37–53.

Lower Taxa

Alstroemeria pulchella