Zephyranthinae was a subtribe of plants classified under the tribe Hippeastreae. It belonged to the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They are generally small plants with solitary flowers. Spathes are fused forming a tube surrounding the pedicel of the flower. Most of its members were commonly known as rain lilies. It included four genera:[1]

  • Zephyranthes Herb.
  • Cooperia Herb. – now subsumed in Zephyranthes
  • Habranthus Herb. – now subsumed in Zephyranthes
  • Sprekelia Heist. - Aztec lilies.
Zephyranthinae
Flowers of Zephyranthes candida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Tribe: Hippeastreae
Subtribe: Zephyranthinae

Members of the former genus Haylockia are also now classified under Zephyranthes. Pyrolirion (fire lilies), once often included under Zephyranthes, is now considered to be a distinct genus and placed in the tribe Eustephieae.[1]

Following the application of molecular phylogenetics the subtribe was found to be polyphyletic and subsequently dispersed amongst two other Hippeastreae subtribes.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Pascal Vigneron. "Hippeastreae". Amaryllidaceae.org. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2011.