Alstroemeria, commonly known as the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. Alstroemeria aurea (syn. Alstroemeria aurantiaca), commonly known as the Yellow Peruvian Lily, is one of the most well-known species within this genus.
• Genus comprises approximately 60–120 species (depending on taxonomic authority), native primarily to South America
• Widely cultivated as a cut flower worldwide due to its vibrant, long-lasting blooms
• Individual cut flowers can last up to two weeks in a vase, making them one of the most economically important cut flower crops globally
• The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of his friend, the Swedish botanist Baron Clas Alströmer (1736–1794), who first collected seeds of the plant in South America and sent them to Europe
• Alstroemeria aurea is native to Chile, where it grows wild in temperate forests and grasslands
• Its natural range extends from central to southern Chile, at elevations from sea level to montane zones
• The genus as a whole ranges from Venezuela and the Guianas in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the southernmost part of Patagonia — spanning tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones
• First introduced to Europe in the 18th century by Clas Alströmer; Alstroemeria pelegrina was among the earliest species brought to cultivation in 1753
• Extensive hybridization programs since the mid-20th century (particularly in the Netherlands) have produced hundreds of ornamental cultivars with a wide range of flower colors
Rhizome & Stems:
• Grows from clusters of fleshy, tuberous rhizomes that store nutrients and water
• Stems are erect, somewhat zigzagged, and can be leafy or bracteate toward the apex
• Stems are moderately branched in the upper portion
Leaves:
• Simple, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 5–12 cm long
• A distinctive feature of the genus: leaves are resupinate — they twist 180° during development so that the leaf blade faces upward while the morphological underside faces the sky
• Leaves are sessile, alternate, and arranged spirally along the stem
• Texture is smooth and somewhat fleshy; color is bright to medium green
Flowers:
• Borne in terminal umbels of 3–10 flowers
• Individual flowers are ~4–5 cm in diameter, with six tepals arranged in two whorls
• Outer three tepals are broader; inner three are narrower and often streaked or spotted with darker markings (brown or reddish lines)
• Flower color of A. aurea is characteristically golden yellow to orange-yellow, sometimes with reddish-brown streaks
• Six stamens with basifixed anthers; ovary is inferior
• Flowers are bisexual and protandrous (male parts mature before female parts)
Fruit & Seeds:
• Capsule is ovoid to globose, dehiscing loculicidally (splitting along the midrib of each carpel)
• Seeds are spherical, reddish-brown, several per capsule
• Native habitat includes open grasslands, forest margins, and scrublands in central and southern Chile
• Prefers Mediterranean-type climates with wet winters and dry summers
• Pollinated primarily by bees and other insects attracted to the colorful, nectar-producing flowers
• In its native range, flowering occurs in late spring to early summer (November–January in the Southern Hemisphere)
• The tuberous rhizomes allow the plant to survive seasonal drought by entering dormancy
• In cultivation, Alstroemeria species have become naturalized in parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and California, sometimes behaving as aggressive spreaders via rhizome fragments
• Handling the plant, especially cut stems, can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals — a condition sometimes called "tulip fingers" or "Alstroemeria dermatitis"
• The sap may cause skin irritation, redness, and blistering upon prolonged contact
• Not considered highly toxic if ingested, but the plant is not edible and should not be consumed
Light:
• Full sun to partial shade; performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
• In hot climates, afternoon shade helps prevent flower scorch
Soil:
• Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter
• Slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5–7.0)
• Does not tolerate waterlogged conditions — rhizomes are prone to rot in heavy, poorly drained soils
Watering:
• Regular watering during the active growing season; reduce during dormancy
• Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings
• Overwatering is a common cause of rhizome rot
Temperature:
• Hardy in USDA zones 7–10 (some cultivars tolerate zone 6 with mulch protection)
• Optimal growing temperature: 15–25°C
• Requires a cool winter dormancy period for best flowering; does not perform well in tropical lowland heat
• Frost tolerance varies by species; A. aurea can tolerate light frosts but prolonged freezing damages rhizomes
Planting Depth:
• Rhizomes should be planted 10–15 cm deep
• Space plants 30–60 cm apart to allow for rhizome spread
Propagation:
• Division of rhizome clumps in early spring or autumn
• Seed propagation is possible but slow; seedlings may take 2–3 years to flower
• Tissue culture is used commercially for mass propagation of hybrid cultivars
Common Problems:
• Rhizome rot (Pythium, Phytophthora) — caused by overwatering or poor drainage
• Aphids, spider mites, and thrips
• Viral infections (e.g., Alstroemeria mosaic virus) can cause flower break and stunted growth
• In warm climates, excessive heat can reduce flowering
• Garden ornamental for borders, containers, and mixed perennial beds
• Long vase life (10–14 days) makes it highly valued in the floriculture industry
• Extensive use in floral arrangements and bouquets due to its wide color range (white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and bicolors)
• Some Andean indigenous communities have historically consumed the starchy tubers of certain Alstroemeria species as a food source, though this is not common today
Anecdote
The resupinate leaves of Alstroemeria — which twist 180° on their petioles so the underside faces upward — are one of the most distinctive morphological traits in the plant kingdom. Early botanists who pressed and dried specimens often assumed the leaves had been mounted upside down, not realizing the twist was a natural developmental feature. • The genus name honors Clas Alströmer, a Swedish nobleman and student of Linnaeus, who sent the first living specimens from South America to Europe in the 1750s • Alstroemeria is sometimes called the "Inca Lily" because its native range overlaps with the historical territory of the Inca Empire's southern neighbors in Chile • Modern hybrid Alstroemeria cultivars are the result of complex interspecific hybridization programs, primarily involving A. aurea, A. pelegrina, A. ligtu, and A. haemantha • The Netherlands is the world's largest producer of Alstroemeria cut flowers, with thousands of hectares under cultivation • Tulipalin A, the allergenic compound in Alstroemeria sap, is formed when plant cells are damaged — a defense mechanism shared with tulips (Tulipa spp.)
En savoir plusCommentaires (0)
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier !
