Alstroemeriaceae

3 gen., temp. to trop., Central and S. America.

Alstroemeria L.

2 species naturalized Aust.; NSW, Vic.

Alstroemeria pulchella L.f.

Weak herb. Leaves cauline, mostly on the upper part of the stem, broad-lanceolate to elliptic, 4–7 cm long, 15–30 mm wide, acute, on slender twisted petioles 1–6 cm long. Flowers in irregular umbels with a few leafy bracts at the base; scapes up to 70 cm high. Perianth red and green; posterior lobe ± larger than the others, spotted. Stamens 6, inserted on an annular nectary at the base of the perianth. Ovary 3-locular; style obtusely 3-angular, 3-fid. Capsule ovoid. Escaped from cultivation into shady places near Hawkesbury River and Blue Mts Introd. from trop. S. America