Clinanthus


Clinanthus is a genus of bulbous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is found in western South America, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, north Chile and north west Argentina.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Clinanthus are perennial herbs with sessile, linear to lorate, up to 50–60 cm long leaves.

Generative characteristics

The inflorescences have 2–10 mostly pink or red flowers. The androecium consists of 6 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 3 carpels. The stigma is capitate. The trilocular, green or glaucous capsule fruit bears numerous brown to black, winged, flat seeds.

Taxonomy

It was published by William Herbert in 1821 with Clinanthus luteus Herb. as the type species.

Species

Species include:

Habitat

Clinanthus occurs in seasonally dry shrubland or grassy vegetation at elevations above 2000 m above sea level.

Pollination

The flowers are possibly ornithophilous.