Alstroemeria psittacina – Princess lily.
Synonym Alstroemeria pulchella.
Known as the Christmas, Parrot, Peruvian or Princess lily.
It is naturalised in Queensland and other states.
Plants are herbs up to 1 m high with rhizomes and tubers.
The alternately arranged leaves are up to 10 cm long and 3.5 cm wide.
They are on twisted stalks up to 6 cm long.
The blade can be linear to lanceolate.
Inflorescences, with 1 or a few flowers, are terminal or axillary.
Flowers, up to 7 cm long are on short stalks and arranged in an umbel.
They are tubular with 6 overlapping tepals in 2 whorls.
Tepals have broad tips and taper to a narrow base.
They are mostly red with cream and green near the tip.
Inside there are darker stripes and blotches.
There are 6 stamens up to 6 cm long.
The ovary is inferior and up to 15 mm long with ribs on the side.
It mostly has 3 locules with numerous ovules.
There is a short style up to 6.5 mm long with a short 3 branched stigma.
The fruit are roundish capsules up to 15 mm wide with prominent ribs.
Alstroemeria psittacina ‘Variegata’ is a cultivar with a white border on the leaves.
J.F.
