Alstroemeria

Linnaeus

Pl. Alströmeria, 8. 1762.

Common names: Lily-of-the-Incas Peruvian-lily
Etymology: for Clas Alströmer, 1736–1794, Swedish naturalist and pupil of Linnaeus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 200. Mentioned on page 55.

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

Introduced; North America, South America.

Discussion

Species ca. 60 (1 in the flora).