Zephyranthes drummondii
A bit of a 'lone star' in more ways than one. I have waited four years for this to flower, or maybe I have just missed it last time as the flowers are said to come out in the evening. One flower and one leaf...no wonder this is not a common plant in cultivation. However it must love it in south east Queensland as it appears on the 'Atlas of Living Australia' growing in a few locations as a 'garden escapee'. This bulb is native to Texas, New Mexico and Mexico and like others in its genus it is stimulated to flower after rain and not just by the occasional watering. The flower is strongly perfumed and I suspect that this is to attract moths which may be flitting about at night. It could be given a place in the garden beside a path or in a rockery with well drained average soil, and, preferably in a spot where it is not likely to be overtaken by neighbouring plants which may out-compete it for light. I suspect that it is slow to increase by division of bulbs for off-sets and that saving seed is an option for increasing this little gem.
Zephyranthes drummondii | Atlas of Living Australia
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