Leucocoryne is a small genus of about 12 species in the Alliaceae family from Chile that grow in winter. They seem to benefit from a hot summer dormancy and adequate fertilization while in growth. Chileans accept the genus Pabellonia for those leucocorynes with fleshy appendages. They will be included on this page. Many of the flowers have 3 short fertile stamens and 3 long, sterile staminodes much like North American Brodiaea. Pabellonia is a South American genus (formerly known as Chrysocoryne) that is similar to Leucocoryne and according to Alan Meerow molecular evidence suggests it may some day be included in that genus.
Growing from seeds can be somewhat tricky. John Wagner find that seeds, particularly of L. coquimbensis germinates very readily without special treatment. The seeds were sown in the fall in a free draining mix with 80% germination. Others have mixed results of 0-50% germination. Seedlings emerge in about 3-6 weeks depending on the species. Diana Chapman who grows many of these plants states that she is lucky if 50% of first year seedlings return the following year.
Leucocoryne appendiculata has white flowers and three yellow staminodes with the tip terminating in a thread. Photo by Osmani Baullosa
Leucocoryne coquimbensis has blue or violet fragrant flowers with a greenish white center and yellow conical staminodes and slightly undulating tepals. Photos by Sheila Burrow.
Although the pictures below from Bill Dijk he labels as hybrids they resemble L. coquimbensis.
Leucocoryne hybrids This came in a package of "mixed hybrids" of Leucocoryne. Photo taken April 2004 by Lee Poulsen.
Leucocoryne incrassata, syn. Pabellonia incrassta
Leucocoryne ixioides has cylindrical staminodes that are white or cream, with or without the upper half or third dark. Flowers can be white or pink or pale lilac. Photo one photographed by Sheila Burrow is white. Photo two also photographed by Sheila Burrow matches the description for this species
Leucocoryne purpurea has light purple flowers with darker purple streaks. The staminodes are yellow with purple tips. Photo by Sheila Burrow.
Leucocoryne sp. (mauve, name unknown) photo by Sheila Burrow.
Leucocoryne vittata has tepals with undulating/wavy edges, and is violet-purple with a strong violet central line and yellow conical staminodes. Photo #1 by Sheila Burrow. Photos #2 and 3 by Bill Dijk are a darker form of this species and a group of hybrids. Photo #4 taken April 2004 from Lee Poulsen. Photo #5 is by Mary Sue Ittner of the corms.
