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Alstroemeria pelegrina - L.

Common Name Peruvian Lily
Family Amaryllidaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards Some people are sensitive to this plant and skin contact with the sap can cause them to get dermatitis[65].
Habitats Sand dunes along the coast[187]. Coastal: grasslands, rocky slopes and shrublands from sea level to elevations of 3500 metres.
Range S. America - Chile, Peru.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Alstroemeria pelegrina Peruvian Lily


Alstroemeria pelegrina Peruvian Lily

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Alstroemeria pelegrina is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[177]. A source of starch[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a fertile, moisture retentive well-drained soil and a warm situation in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a dry sheltered border and a peaty loam[1]. Requires a well-drained soil that stays moist in the summer[187]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. Possibly hardy to about -10°c[187]. Another report suggests that plants will only tolerate light frosts, but they should prove hardy in selected sites in the mildest areas of the country[200]. The roots should be planted 15 - 20cm deep when dormant in late summer to autumn and then be well mulched to protect them from severe winter weather. Somewhat intolerant of root disturbance[1], the roots are fleshy and brittle[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe although seedlings can be transplanted successfully if they are moved with care whilst small. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hrs in warm water, warm stratify for 4 weeks at 25°c and then reduce the temperature to 10°c. Excising a small bit of the seed near the embryo after the seed has been warm stratified helps to speed up the germination process[164]. Plant out about 20cm deep into their permanent positions in late summer or autumn[200]. Division in April or October with care since the plant resents root disturbance[133]. Ensure each portion has a growth bud[111].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Chile (Coquimbo, Valparaíso)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Alstroemeria aureaPeruvian LilyPerennial1.0 7-10 MLMHSNM10 
Alstroemeria haemanthaPurple-spot parrot-lilyPerennial0.9 8-11  LMSNM30 
Alstroemeria ligtuAlstroemeria, St. Martin's FlowerPerennial0.6 8-10 MLMSNDM301
Alstroemeria revoluta Perennial0.6 -  LMSNM20 
Alstroemeria spectabilis Perennial0.0 -  LMSNM20 
Alstroemeria versicolor Perennial0.3 8-11  LMSNM20 
Bomarea acutifoliaYatziPerennial Climber0.0 8-11  LMNM20 
Bomarea edulis Perennial Climber3.0 7-10  LMSNM30 
Bomarea salsilla Perennial Climber2.0 8-11  LMNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

JACKIE RODRIGUEZ DE GUZMAN   Mon Mar 6 2006

CAN I KNOW WHY IT'S CALL LILY OF THE INCAS? OR INCA LILY?

Jo Ellen Porter   Thu Apr 27 2006

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of these plants? They are so invasive, and nothing seems to kill them. Digging them up only seems to encourage them. They're killing my grass and shrubs. Ugh!

jackie weiss   Mon Mar 12 2007

the genus alstroemeria is in the family alstroemeriaceae, a member of the order liliales. the Amaryllidaceae are a member of the asparagales, and entirely different order in the liliopsida. check this taxonomy browser on the national center for biotechnology website, and alstroemeria can be entered as well to verify it's placement in its own family, within the liliales. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=4668

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future   Tue Apr 24 2007

Sorry - totally our mistake. I'm afraid that a clerical error moved this plant (and the others in the genus) to the family Amaryllidaceae. The error has been corrected in our database and should be corrected on line in the near future. Thanks very much for pointing out our error.

Dorothy Prenter   Fri Oct 30 2009

My Alstroemeria is growinr out of control. please how can I kill some and control thwe rest.

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