Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Amaryllidaceae Scientific name Zephyranthes robustus | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Amaryllidoideae Rank Species | |
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Similar Habranthus, Eryngium eburneum, Chamissoa, Guatteria australis, Baccharis spicata | ||
Habranthus robustus, commonly known as the Brazilian copperlily, pink fairy lily or the pink rain lily, is a species of herbaceous flowering bulb. It is native to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, but is now naturalized in Florida, Colombia, South Africa, and Mauritius.
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Description
Habranthus robustus are relatively large rain lilies. They grow from ovate to obovate bulbs around 3.5 to 5 cm (1.4 to 2.0 in) in diameter.
They bear solitary lavender to pale pink, funnel-shaped flowers, 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long, held at a slight angle on 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) scapes, with a leaf-like bract 1.8–4 cm (0.71–1.57 in) long at the base. Flowers typically appear after rain from late summer to early fall and are followed by large deep green leaves, measuring 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) wide and 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) long.
Taxonomy and nomenclature
Habranthus robustus belongs to the genus Habranthus (rain lilies) of the tribe Hippeastreae. It is classified under the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). In broader classifications, they are sometimes included within the lily family (Liliaceae).
It was formerly classified under the genus Zephyranthes as Zephyranthes robusta, a name still used incorrectly by merchants and hobbyists.
Habranthus robustus is commonly known as the 'pink fairy lily', 'pink rain lily', 'pink zephyr lily', 'pink magic lily', 'pink fawn lily', and 'Colombiaanse mini-amaryllis'. It is known as cebollita in Spanish.
Habranthus robustus are commonly sold as Zephyranthes robusta by merchants, an incorrect synonym. Due to having the same common names, it is also frequently confused with other 'pink rain lilies' - namely Zephyranthes rosea and Zephyranthes carinata (also sold under the name Zephyranthes grandiflora). The three species are often mislabeled, but H. robustus is easily recognizable from the other two by its larger, more strongly bent (and often asymmetrical), paler pink flowers. H. robustus also have leaves covered with a fine grayish waxy coating (glaucous) in contrast to the leaves of Z. carinata.
Distribution and habitat
Habranthus robustus is believed to have originated from Rio Grande do Sul of Brazil. It is native to Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, and is widely naturalized elsewhere.
Cultivation and uses
Habranthus robustus is widely grown as an ornamental. It is one of the most prolific of the summer flowering rain lilies.They are propagated by dividing the bulbs (including offsets) and from seed. They aren't as tolerant of colder temperatures as other rain lilies.
Toxicity
Similar to the closely related species of Zephyranthes, H. robustus contains toxic alkaloids. Mainly galanthamine-type alkaloids which can be lethal for humans.