Habranthus

Taxobox
name = "Habranthus"

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Habranthus tubispathus"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Amaryllidaceae
genus = "Habranthus"
genus_authority = Herb.

"Habranthus" is a genus of tender herbaceous flowering bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae. The genus was first identified by pioneering bulb enthusiast William Herbert in 1824.

Along with "Zephyranthes" and "Cooperia", "Habranthus" is one of several related genera commonly known as rainlilies. All three have starry, funnelform flowers and are native to tropical and semi-tropical regions of the Americas. Inflorescences are umbels bearing 2-3 flowers (Howard 77). "Habranthus" is distinct from "Zephyranthes" in holding its flowers at an angle rather than upright and in having less symmetrical flowers. They bloom most heavily in April through June, and are famous for blooming in response to rain. Individual bulbs are often capable of blooming more than once per year (Fellers 79).

"Habranthus", like other rain lilies, is an heirloom plant that is not widely used in mainstream landscapes, perhaps because its bloom time, dependent on rain, is erratic. Nevertheless, the bulbs are rugged and easy to grow in zones 8-10 and are recognized among bulb specialists as possessing distinct landscape value (Ogden 5).

List of species

References

* Fellers, John D. "A Passion for Rainlilies: Cooperia, Habranthus, and Zephyranthes." "Herbertia" v51, 1996, pp 78-112.
* Howard, Thad M. "Bulbs for Warm Climates". Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2001, pp 77-82.
* Ogden, Scott. "Garden Bulbs for the South". Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Co., 1994, pp 5-27.

External links

* [http://www.bulbsociety.org/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS/GRAPHICS/Habranthus/Habranthuslist.shtml] International Bulb Society's gallery of photographs
* [http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Habranthus] Pacific Bulb Society's gallery of photographs
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=114414] Habranthus entry in Flora of North America