Stenomesson is a genus from South America in the Amaryllidaceae family found in the Peruvian Andes, Ecuador, Columbia, and Chile. It has been proposed (2000) that some species in this genus should transfer to the genus Clinanthus.
Stenomesson incarnatum Photo by Doug Westfall. Stenomesson are 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 incarnatum here in So. Ca., but some consider it to be variegatum. It is not too fussy about climate, but will not tolerate much frost. Sandy soil with some decomposed granite suits it well.
This species was originally described as Pancratium incarnatum Kunth in 1816 and in 1871 changed to Stenomesson incarnatum (Kunth) Baker. It is now proposed that it should be transferred to the genus Clinanthus, where further details can be found. Note by David Victor.
Stenomesson pearcei is native to southern Peru and Bolivia. Photo by Jacob Knecht
Stenomesson variegatum This species can have 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. It is proposed that this species should transfer to the genus Clinanthus, where further details can be found.
Orange-red form photographed at UC Botanic Garden, Berkeley, early May 2007, by Max Withers.
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