Clinanthus is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. In 2000, Alan Meerow et al. published a paper entitled "Phylogeny of the American Amaryllidaceae based on nrDNA ITS sequences", in Systematic Botany 25 (4) pp708-726. Amongst other findings, it recognised that what had previously been known as the Stenomesseae Tribe consisted of two separate groups supported by strong molecular evidence. One of these groups, with petiolate (stalked) leaves is, in fact, more closely related to the Eucharideae (the genera Eucrosia, Urceolina, Eucharis, Rauhia and Phaedranassa). The other, with lorate (strap-shaped) leaves, forms a sister group to another Tribe, the Hymenocallideae (the genera Hymenocallis, Ismene and Leptochiton). They proposed that this strap-shaped leaf group be transferred into a new tribe, Clinantheae and resurrected the genus Clinanthus Herbert (1821), within this tribe. Note by David Victor.
Therefore, based on the new taxonomic changes, the genus Clinanthus can be separated from Stenomesson based on their strap-shaped leaves and certain other characters.
Clinanthus callacallensis syn. Stenomesson callacallense
Clinanthus campodensis syn. Stenomesson campodense
Clinanthus caracensis syn. Stenomesson caracense
Clinanthus chihuanhuayu syn. Haylockia chihuanhuayu
Clinanthus coccineus (syn. Stenomesson coccineum) is a species from the Andes, Peru. Photos taken by Alessandro Marinello in Padova, Italy.
Clinanthus croceus syn. Pancratium croceum
Clinanthus elwesii syn. Callithauma viridiflorum var. elwesii
Clinanthus flammidis syn. Stenomesson flammidum
Clinanthus fulvus syn. Coburghia fulva
Clinanthus glareosus syn. Stenomesson glareosum
Clinanthus humilis syn. Clitanthes humilis
Clinanthus imasumac syn. Stenomesson imasumac
Clinanthus incarnatus (syn. Stenomesson incarnatum (Kunth) Baker 1871, Pancratium incarnatum Kunth 1816) is native to the Andes at rather high altitude where they grow in poor, rocky soil. They are variable and not as well identified as we would like. This one is accepted as incarnatus here in southern California, but some consider it to be variegatus. It is not too fussy about climate, but will not tolerate much frost. Sandy soil with some decomposed granite suits it well. Photo #1 was taken by Doug Westfall. Photos #2-4 were taken by Alessandro Marinello.
Clinanthus incarus syn. Stenomesson incarum
Clinanthus macleanicanus syn. Clitanthes macleanica
Clinanthus microstephus syn. Stenomesson microstephium
Clinanthus mirabilis syn. Stenomesson mirabile
Clinanthus recurvatus syn. Pancratium recurvatum
Clinanthus sunchubambae syn. Stenomesson sunchubambae
Clinanthus variegatus (syn. Stenomesson variegatum) This species has flowers of various colours, varying from reds through to this particular form, which has pale yellow, tubular flowers with green tips. The individual flowers are around 3" long and are in an umbel of four or so. The plant stands at about 30" tall, with grey-green strap shaped leaves. There are two photos to show the detail of the flowers and overall growth. Photos by David Victor taken in his cold greenhouse in September 2005.
Orange-red form is grown in the ground at the UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley. The first two photos were taken in early May 2007, by Max Withers. The last one was taken by Nhu Nguyen about the same time a year later.
Clinanthus viridiflorus syn. Pancratium viridiflorum