Leucocoryne

Leucocoryne (glory-of-the-sun) is a genus of bulbous perennial plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The foliage of all species is long and narrow and has an onion-like scent. The blue, white or lilac flowers are held in umbels.

The entire genus is endemic to northern and central Chile in South America. Some species are grown in gardens as ornamentals. They require very well-drained soil and do not tolerate freezing temperatures. L. purpurea, with purple flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Derivation of genus name

The generic name Leucocoryne is a compound of the Greek elements λευκός ( = leucos ) "white" and κορυνε ( = korune ) "club" ( in the sense of cudgel or bludgeon ) - in reference to the pale, club-like, sterile anthers of the flowers.

Taxonomy

Species

Species accepted by The Plant List are listed here (49) although some authorities estimate only 15.

1. Leucocoryne alliacea <small>Lindl.</small>
2. Leucocoryne angosturae <small>Ravenna</small>
3. Leucocoryne angustipetala <small>Gay</small>
4. Leucocoryne appendiculata <small>Phil.</small>
5. Leucocoryne arrayanensis <small>Ravenna</small>
6. Leucocoryne candida <small>Ravenna</small>
7. Leucocoryne codehuensis <small>Ravenna</small>
8. Leucocoryne conconensis <small>Ravenna</small>
9. Leucocoryne conferta <small>Zoellner</small>
10. Leucocoryne coquimbensis <small>F.Phil. ex Phil.</small>
11. Leucocoryne coronata <small>Ravenna</small>
12. Leucocoryne curacavina <small>Ravenna</small>
13. Leucocoryne dimorphopetala <small>(Gay) Ravenna</small>
14. Leucocoryne editiana <small>Ravenna</small>
15. Leucocoryne foetida <small>Phil.</small>
16. Leucocoryne fragrantissima <small>Ravenna</small>
17. Leucocoryne fuscostriata <small>Ravenna</small>
18. Leucocoryne gilliesioides <small>(Phil.) Ravenna</small> syn. Erinna gilliesioides <small>Phil.</small>
19. Leucocoryne inclinata <small>Ravenna</small>
20. Leucocoryne incrassata <small>Phil.</small>
21. Leucocoryne ixioides <small>(Sims) Lindl.</small>
22. Leucocoryne leucogyna <small>Ravenna</small>
23. Leucocoryne lilacea <small>Ravenna</small>
24. Leucocoryne lituecensis <small>Ravenna</small>
25. Leucocoryne lurida <small>Ravenna</small>
26. Leucocoryne macropetala <small>Phil.</small>
27. Leucocoryne maulensis <small>Ravenna</small>
28. Leucocoryne modesta <small>Ravenna</small>
29. Leucocoryne mollensis <small>Ravenna</small>
30. Leucocoryne narcissoides <small>Phil.</small> (discovered by Scottish botanist Thomas King)
31. Leucocoryne odorata <small>Lindl.</small>
32. Leucocoryne pachystyla <small>Ravenna</small>
33. Leucocoryne pauciflora <small>Phil.</small>
34. Leucocoryne porphyrea <small>Ravenna</small>
35. Leucocoryne praealta <small>Ravenna</small>
36. Leucocoryne purpurea <small>Gay</small>
37. Leucocoryne quilimarina <small>Ravenna</small>
38. Leucocoryne reflexa <small>Grau</small>
39. Leucocoryne roblesiana <small>Ravenna</small>
40. Leucocoryne rungensis <small>Ravenna</small>
41. Leucocoryne simulans <small>Ravenna</small>
42. Leucocoryne subulata <small>Ravenna</small>
43. Leucocoryne taguataguensis <small>Ravenna</small>
44. Leucocoryne talinensis <small>Mansur & Cisternas</small>
45. Leucocoryne tricornis <small>Ravenna</small>
46. Leucocoryne ungulifera <small>Ravenna</small>
47. Leucocoryne valparadisea <small>Ravenna</small>
48. Leucocoryne violacescens <small>Phil.</small>
49. Leucocoryne vittata <small>Ravenna</small>

References

Bibliography