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Zephyranthes is a genus of flowering plants in the family Amaryllis, comprising about 71 species, and numerous hybrids and cultivars. Zephyranthes is commonly known as wind flower, fairy lily, rainflower, zephyr lily, magic lily, Atamasco lily, and rain lily.
Zephyranthes are clump-forming bulbs with an erect, six-petaled crocus-like flower on the each stem that may be upward facing or slightly nodding. The color of flower in species ranges from white to yellow (in various shades from lemon to sulphur), and pink. Some species bear sweet-scented flowers, and some open their flowers at night and attract nocturnal insects. The flowers typically last only for two days, but new flowers may appear in a succession of blooms.
Zephyranthes needs a little shade and well-drained moist soil. Propagation is by seeds in autumn or in spring.
Z. atamasco is also known as Atamasco lily. It is a clump-forming, early-summer flowering bulb of 15-25 cm tall and 8-10 cm wide. The basal leaves are narrow, grasslike ad semi-erect. In spring to summer, each stem produces a funnel-shaped purple-tinged white flower, opening to 10 cm wide.
Z. candida, 15-25 cm tall and 5-8 cm wide, is an autumn-flowering bulb with narrow, erect, basal leaves forming tufts. White crocus-like flower of 6 cm across is born on the tip of each leaftless stem.
Z. citrina, 10-15 cm tall and 5-8 cm wide, is a clump-forming, autumn-flowering bulb. It produces rushlike, erect, basal green leaves. In autumn, each stem produces funnel-shapesd, bright-yellow flower, opening to 4-5 cm wide.
Z. rosea, 15-20 cm tall and 8-10 cm wide, is a clump-forming, autumn-flowering bulb. It produces semi-erect, grasslike, basal green leaves. Each stem produces short-tubed, funnel-shaped pink flower.
