Phaedranassa is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family which includes nine species, six of which are found only in Ecuador, the remaining three being from Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru. They are largely montane species, where they grow in disturbed areas, often colonizing road cuts, and usually coming into bloom after the dry summer season in their native lands. These beautiful bulbs are characterized by having leaves that are glossy green, greyish-green, or covered in a dusty bloom. The flowers are produced in an umbel, most species having large tubular pink or red flowers that are variously banded in green, with anywhere from five or six flowers to fourteen or fifteen to an umbel.
While some other amaryllids can be challenging to grow and bring into bloom, phaedranassas have proved extremely easy and obliging. After reaching maturity, they will bloom every year. I grow them in a mix high in organic material, and they have grown and increased well in anywhere from a one to a five gallon container. They need regular fertilization, since some species are quite vigorous, and they need to reach a certain critical size before they bloom. These bulbs are not frost-hardy and since they grow rather shallowly with the neck just barely exposed, freezing could potentially damage the bulb, and it is advisable to grow them in a greenhouse in anything but the mildest climates.
It is often said in reference books that phaedranassas can be brought into bloom at any time of year by withholding water for two months, then resuming watering. I have tried this, and it works! It doesn't seem to matter at all whether they are kept cool or warm during this forced dormancy, and they generally bloom about eight weeks after watering has been resumed. Using this technique, therefore, one could bring them into bloom for the winter months.
Information provided by Diana Chapman, owner of Telos Rare Bulbs who sells these bulbs.
Phaedranassa carmioli is a species from Coast Rica with red and green flowers. There is a plant easily grown in cultivation by that name that may not actually be this species, but it is unclear if not, what species it is. Pictures are of the plant in cultivation. By manipulating when I withhold water from my plants I was able to get one to bloom late April-May 2004 and a second to bloom in July 2004. Two photos by Mary Sue Ittner of these two plants and a third by John Ingram, a first bloom in his Venice, California garden.
Phaedranassa cinerea is from Ecuador. It has deep rose pink flowers banded green at the tepal tips with the colors separated by a narrow band of yellow. The underside of the leaves in this species is silvery. Photos by Mark Mazer and Mary Sue Ittner.
Phaedranassa dubia syn. Phaedranassa chloracra is from Ecuador. It has deep pink flowers, banded green at the tips with a narrow yellow band near the ovary. Photos by Alessandro Marinello.
Phaedranassa spp. I've grown from seed species identified as P. carmioli, P. cinerea, and P. dubia. They all look alike to me and I have not been able to tell them apart. Here is a picture of some of my plants blooming together. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Phaedranassa tunguraguae is from Ecuador and has flowers that are deep coral pink. Photo by Digby Boswell.
Phaedranassa viridiflora according to Diana Chapman was described as coming from Peru originally, but has never been re-collected in Peru, and probably is also Ecuadorean. This one has lovely flowers, banded in green and yellow, with a wider more bell-shaped flower. Photos from Alessandro Marinello.
Photos of seed pods and opening seeds from Mary Sue Ittner
Photo of a virused leaf from Jennifer Hildebrand
