Calostemma is a small genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae[2]), commonly known as Wilcannia Lily. It consists of three species endemic to Australia, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitation.
Calostemma | |
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Calostemma luteum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
Subfamily: | Amaryllidoideae |
Genus: | Calostemma R.Br.[1] |
Species | |
See text |
Members of Calostemma often flower in a leafless state, the narrow, shining-green, strap-like leaves usually preceding flowering and reaching a length of 25–30 cm. Flower colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow.
The list of Calostemma species, with their complete scientific name and authority, is given below.[3]
Due to their large and showy flowers, members of this genus are used as ornamental plants.