Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Zephyr lily, rainlily, atamasco lily

Synonym(s):

Zephyranthes atamasca var. treatii, Zephyranthes atamasca var. atamasca

Genus species:

Zephyranthes atamasca

Family:

Amaryllidaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1 ft tall by 0.1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Winter dormant, flowers in late winter to spring or after rains.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Small wildflower. Typically seen in spring or after rain. Grows in small tufts. Plant in low border on intermixed with a groundcover. Inconspicuous when not in bloom. Individual plants are short-lived perennials, but clumps persist for many years.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed or separation of bulbs.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

acid to slightly alkaline

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts pollinators.

Native Habitats:

River floodplains. Low roadsides. Low pastures. Usually seen in late winter/spring after rains. Can show up at other times with the right pattern of dry/rain.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

There are two subspecies in Florida with somewhat different but overlapping distributions. Culture and uses in the landscape are similar. It is best to use local sources.