Jim asked, >While we are on the topic of Alstroemeria, I'll ask again a question >which I've asked in the past without eliciting a serious response. >Does anyone know why the leaves of Alstroemeria are carried upside >down? And please, o witty ones, no cracks about the explanation >being that it's due to their growing in the southern hemisphere. Some species of alstros (e.g. A. aurea) have leaves that are twisted over (presumably what Jim means), and some do not. This is one of the diagnostic features for various species. Some leaves are borne on petioles, and others are sessile. Here is a translation from Munoz Schick & Moreira Munoz, "Alstroemerias de Chile," describing the various types of foliage: "Leaves rounded, ovate, lanceolate, or linear (not considering the scale-like ones) Leaves petiolate or not, with or without torsion (i.e., twisting) Leaf margins smooth, undulate, with or without hairs, obvious or not Surface of leaf blade glabrous (smooth) or with salient veins, with or without hairs, shiny or dull" I would add that some of them have thick, almost succulent leaves that are very attractive, especially when the plant is just emerging. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA