Zephyranthes atamasca vs. Z. simpsonii

Jim McKenney jimmckenney@starpower.net
Wed, 27 Apr 2005 06:09:10 PDT
Steve, I don't know the answer to your question about the distinctions
between Zephyranthes atamasco and Z. simpsonii.

But you post prompted me to tell an atamasco lily story. Last weekend I had
the chance to visit a famous garden in northern North Carolina. About a half
hour north of our destination, as we sailed down the two lane road at 55
mph, I let out a whoop: I thought I had seen atamasco lilies blooming by the
roadside. Because we had a scheduled appointment with our host, my
companions were reluctant to stop. As we got farther and farther away from
the site, I began to doubt what I had seen. The flowers seemed a bit big for
Zephyranthes atamasco, at least as I had known it. 

Our host, who grows an amazing array of plants very well, surprised my by
not having Z. atamasco - although several other Zephyranthes were present in
the garden. 

On the return trip I keep my eyes peeled for the roadside plants. Luckily we
found them. As we approached the site, I had a growing sense that I was
about to be disappointed: maybe what I saw were plastic Easter lilies
someone had put out on the lawn. But no, they were atamasco lilies, really
big, shapely, beautiful atamasco lilies. The fragrance was wonderful. 

It was a windy day, and some of the plants had assumed a posture which made
it easy to see why so many people call this the Easter lily. I've posted a
photo of these plants (the ones which were doing the Easter lily imitation)
to the wiki:

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/…
co_jmck_01.jpg.JPG

Those of you who know this genus well may be able to answer a question for
me. My impression is that Z. atamasco has the largest flowers of the genus.
Is that true?

Jim McKenney
jimmckenney@starpower.net
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where my atamasco lilies have
yet to bloom this year. 


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