Alophia is a small genus in the Iridaceae family with about 5 species native to the southern United States, Central and South America. Plants have pleated sword shaped leaves and flowers that last only a few hours or for a day. They are related to Cypella, Herbertia, and Tigridia. Some species that were previously included in this genus are now found in Herbertia.
Alophia drummondii or the pine woods lily grows in moist sandy soils in grasslands and open pine woods in the southern United States south to Mexico. It has violet-maroon flowers with brown, yellow, and white markings and blooms in summer. It can be grown from seed to flowering in one to two years. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
And blooming on another day, photos by Bob Rutemoeller showing the front and the back and a very unusual view of the side.
for more information go to
http://www.npsot.org/features/pinewood_lily.htm
Alophia veracruzana another pine woods lily , from Vera Cruz, Mexico also grows in moist sandy soils in grasslands and open pine woods. This more recently described species has paler flowers and blooms in June and July. It also can be grown from seed to flowering in one to two years. Photo by Alani Davis.
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