Pink Rain Lily

Appearance

"Z. rosea" are perennial herbaceous monocots. They are small plants, reaching only 15 to 20 cm in height. They bear five to six narrow and flattened dark green linear leaves, about 3 to 4 mm wide, from spherical tunicate bulbs around 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres in diameter.

The single funnel-shaped flowers are borne erect or slightly inclined on scapes around 10 to 15 cm long. The spathes are around 2 to 2.8 cm long and slightly divided only at the tip. The fragrant six-petaled flowers are around 2.5 cm in diameter and 3 to 3.5 cm in length. The perianth is bright pink with a green central perianth tube that is less than 5 mm long. The six stamens are of different lengths – one of 11 mm, one of 16 mm, and four between 12 to 13 mm. They are shorter than the style and inserted at the mouth of the perianth. The anthers are 3 to 6 mm long.

The flowers develop into capsules that are divided deeply into three lobes. The seeds are shiny black and flattened.

Distribution

"Z. rosea" is native to the Caribbean, particularly Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. It has been introduced and naturalized to tropical North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, and some Pacific Islands.

Habitat

They are common in recently disturbed land and grassy areas that receive periodical rainfall.

Reproduction

"Z. rosea" are usually propagated by dividing clumps of bulbs, but can also be grown from seeds.

Defense

The bulbs of "Z. rosea", like other members of "Zephyranthes" and "Habranthus", contain various toxic alkaloids including lycorine and haemanthamine. They can cause vomiting, convulsions, and death to humans, livestock, and poultry.

Uses

They are widely cultivated as ornamental plants. They are relatively low-maintenance, becoming dormant during extended periods of drought. They are less tolerant of colder temperatures than other species of "Zephyranthes", however.

In India, they are also used in folk medicine, along with "Zephyranthes flava".