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The Amaryllis Family: Worsleya

The genus Worsleya in the Amaryllis Family (Amaryllidaceae) is endemic to the Atlantic rain forest in the Organ Mountains in Brazil. Worsleya belongs to the American clade, and it is closely related to Griffinia in the same clade. They are herbaceous perennial bulbs. The flowers are borne in an umbel at the top of the peduncle or stalk.

The amaryllid genus Worsleya is restricted to Brazil in South America, and has but a single species, Worsleya procera (or Worsleya rayneri), the so-called "Blue Amaryllis." Although the common name refers to it is an amaryllis, it's closest relatives are small plants in the genus Griffinia. Worsleya can become quite large in its native habitat.

Join the Yahoo group, [Worsleya_procera] at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/ for more information and discussions with other enthusiasts about this rare and unusual plant.


Other Sources of Information

Bulbs for Warm Climates, by Thad M. Howard, University of Texas Press, Austin (2001).
Bulbs, Revised Edition, by John E. Bryan, Timber Press, Portland (2002).
RHS Manual of Bulbs, John Bryan and Mark Griffiths, Eds., Timber Press (1995).


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For information about this account, contact:
James E. Shields, shieldsgardens@gmail.com
Last revised: 14 February 2013
© Copyright 2013 by James E. Shields. All rights reserved.