Androstephium caeruleum aka Blue Funnel Lily

Androstephium caeruleum is a small bulb in the Amaryllidaceae family. Its common names include blue daffodil and blue funnel lily. The RHS also calls it blue Bethlehem. It lists Androstephium violaceum as a synonym. This plant comes from North America, from Kansas to Texas. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows on prairies and grassy slopes. These sites often have rocky ground.

The plant reaches about 0.66 feet (0.2 metres) tall. Its small size suits the cultivated beds listed by PFAF. The bulb usually measures less than one inch across. Flowers appear from April to May, according to PFAF. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The supplied sources give no further flower or fruit details. They also provide no description of leaves or stems. No mature spread is given for plants in gardens.

Grow this species in sun rather than shade. PFAF recommends rich sandy loam with very good drainage. It also lists sandy and loamy soils as suitable. The plant prefers moist soil, but drainage remains essential. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. PFAF gives a USDA hardiness range of 7–10. It reports British hardiness when bulbs sit about six inches deep. Another cited report gives cold tolerance to about −10°C with perfect drainage. These reports make soil drainage a key part of winter survival.

Seeds and offsets offer two ways to raise more plants. PFAF recommends sowing ripe seed straight into a cold frame. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Keep them in a frame or greenhouse while they grow. Plant them outdoors during their autumn rest. Divide offsets during the dormant period in late summer. This timing follows the plant's rest rather than its flowering season.

PFAF lists the bulb as edible, with a low usefulness rating. It gives no details on preparation or serving. The bulb's small size limits the amount available from each plant. PFAF records no known hazards, but this does not establish safety. It lists no known medicinal or other practical uses. It also records no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases.