Zephyranthes atamasco aka Atamasco Lily

Zephyranthes atamasco is a perennial bulb in the Amaryllidaceae family. Gardeners call it atamasco lily, rain lily, or zephyr lily. It comes from the southeastern United States. In North Carolina, it grows in coastal and Piedmont areas. Wild plants live in lowland woods, wet meadows, and nearby roadsides. Some also grow in upland woods over mafic rock.

Plants form upright clumps and grow at a moderate rate. They reach 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 m] tall. Clumps spread 0.5–1 foot [0.15–0.30 m] wide. New bulbs form beside the parent and can build colonies. The glossy green leaves look much like grass. Each leaf is narrow, flat, or slightly cupped. Leaves can reach 1 foot [0.30 m] long. Without flowers, the foliage can blend into nearby plants. The leaves die back, and plants rest during summer. This leaves a gap to account for in garden beds.

Flowers open from March to April on hollow green stalks. Each leafless stalk stands about 1 foot [0.30 m] tall. It holds one upright, fragrant flower with six petal-like parts. The waxy trumpet blooms open white and turn pink with age. Some flowers show pink tints from the start. Each flower can reach 0.25 feet [0.08 m] long. Brown, dry capsules follow from May to June. These thin-walled fruits hold shiny black seeds.

Grow this bulb in sun or partial shade. Give it at least two hours of direct sun for good flowering. It needs rich soil that stays moist to wet. Loam suits it, with an acid to neutral pH. Leaf mould can help enrich the soil. Plants cope with seasonal flooding and periods of standing water. North Carolina State lists USDA zones 7–10 for this species. It also warns that deep winter freezes can harm the bulb. Garden care needs are low. Grow more plants from seed or by dividing the bulbs.

Use atamasco lily in rain gardens, meadow plantings, or woodland borders. It also suits containers and planting near ponds. Groups bring spring flowers to partly shaded sites. The flowers attract pollinators, and the plant also draws songbirds. All listed parts contain poisonous alkaloids, including lycorine. These include flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, and stems. Eating them can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Severe poisoning can be fatal, despite the plant's bitter taste. It poses risks to people, cats, dogs, and horses. Do not treat it as an edible plant.