Zephyranthes /ˌzɛfɪˈrænθiːz/[3] is a genus of temperate and tropical bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae,[4] native to the Americas and widely cultivated as ornamentals.

Following the expansion of the genus in 2019, which now includes the genera Habranthus and Sprekelia, there are about 200 recognized species,[2] as well as numerous hybrids and cultivars.

The name is derived from Ζέφυρος (Zephyrus), the Greek god of the west wind, and ἄνθος (anthos), meaning flower, referring to the slender stalks.

The funnel-shaped flowers with six petals can be crocus shaped, but may also open flat such as in Z. jonesii or even reflex slightly.

Fragrance appears to be recessive in crosses, but there are a few species or hybrids, Z. drummondii (white), Z. morrisclintae (pink) and Z. jonesii (light yellow), that all carry the trait.

Various members of the genus may bloom spring only or repeat and continue into autumn, often a few days after rainstorms (thus one of the common names, rain lilies).

Although it is apomictic, it is a choice parent for crosses because of its rapid repeat flowering trait and long bloom season.

The apomictic species freely set seed and faithfully reproduce the maternal phenotype.

[8][9] Zephyranthes is placed in the subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which some specialists prefer to treat as the family Amaryllidaceae sensu stricto.

These perennial bulbs (geophytes) tolerate many ecological niches (periodically wet soil to desert conditions).

Elizabeth Lawrence, in her classic A Southern Garden (1942), writes with enthusiasm about pink rain lily, Z. grandiflora (=Z.

The shimmering leaves are grass green.Breeding with these species has some inherent difficulties summarized by Roy Chowdhury (2006) as ranging from pseudogamy and apomixis, differences in chromosome number and varying times of flowering.

One constraint remains that seedlings may still carry the apomictic trait, and it is necessary to have progeny from a test cross to determine this.

It was used for simple problems from head ache, cough, cold, and boils to very complicated diseases such as breast cancer, tuberculosis, rheumatism, tumors.