This genus of flowers, which was described by a student of Carl Linnaeus, was named after the Swedish baron Claus Alstromer, a friend of Linneaus.
Alstromeria is native to South America, primarily in southern Argentina and central Brazil, and this flower ranges three degrees north of the equator to the southern tip of South America. Alstromeria is a long-lived perennial that is found in swamps, forests, savannas, grasslands, and, as well as, at altitudes (up to 2300 m elevation).
There are up to as many as 80 reported “species” (including subspecies and variants, as well as hybrids). How many of these are valid species remains to be determined. Common names include the “Peruvian Lily” and “Lily of the Incas,” but they are not lilies.
The color variation of this flower is (like most flowers) highly variable, with pink, yellow, red, white, purple variants. But they all have beautiful streaks (variable in color) on their petals or in their central areas. These streaks makes this flower memorable.
Their geologic time range of genus Alstromeria, based on molecular divergence dating, is late Cretaceous to the present. The early history of this genus was likely affected by geographic separation associated with the formation of the Andes Mountain Range, which actively began about 6 to 2 million years ago = Miocene and Pliocene epochs) (Wikipedia, 2026).
This plant has long-lasting trumpet-shaped flowers, that do well even after being cut (as long as their cut stems have a water source [in a container). Thus, this flower is used in floral arrangements. There are many cultivares, which can be pink, deep yellow, red, orange, purple, or white. There can even be bi-colored varieties. Additionally, their streaks of color are variable. This flower, which has six petals, is also known as the “lily of the Incas.” It is native to Chile and Argentina. Today, it can be found in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Classification
Kingdom Plantar
Clades (3 of them)
Order Alstroemeriaceae
Family Alstroemeriacea.
Genus Alstroemeria
Type Species: A. pelegrina
In the USA, Alstrolmeria grows well is zones 8-10. They thrive in full sun, and they prefer well-drained soil. They are long-blooming perennials (i.e. they bloom from early summer to first frost).
They are drought tolerant. Also, its leaves grow upside down [= resupination]. Alstromeria readily attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Figure 2. Alstromeria (three colors). Image taken at Green Thumb Nursery in Saugus, California.
Figure 3. Alstromeria (red variety). Image taken at Green Thumb Nursery in Saugus, California.
