Petronymphe is a monotypic genus with a very restricted range found exclusively within the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It's only known habitat is near Acahuizotla, 1 hour south of Chilpancingo at about 3500' elevation where they grow on 30m vertical cliffs above a river. Petronymphe is member of the Brodiaea complex that also includes genera such as Dichelostemma, Triteleia and Bessera etcetera. Recent work (2001) suggests placing it in the Milla clade of a new family, Themidaceae. (This clade includes Behria, Bessera, Dandya, Jaimehintonia, and Milla).
Petronymphe decora is a species of singular beauty, crowned with a firework display of tubular yellow-green flowers arising from lax, apple-green leaves. As with Bessera, this species requires a dry winter dormancy and sharply-drained potting media. Grown in Honolulu, Hawai`i. Photographs by Jacob Knecht.
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