ALSTROEMERIA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CARE, SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

Alstroemeria is a genus of herbaceous, rhizomatous, and perennial plants that belong to the Alstroemeriaceae family. Commonly known as astromelia, Peruvian lily, lily of Peru or lily of the Incas, it is made up of more than 70 species native to the Andes.

Astromeliads are perennial plants formed by a robust rhizome, tuberous roots, and dense foliage that can reach up to 1 m in height. The leaves are lanceolate, sharp and fleshy, the funnel-shaped zoomorphic flowers of various shades and colors, grouped in umbelliferous inflorescences.

Species of the genus Alstroemeria

Its commercial production is mainly used for cut flowers, although it is usually grown in squares, parks and gardens, forming attractive flower beds. Wild species develop in diverse environments, from the high mountains of the Andes to desert areas on the Chilean coast.

Commercial plantations can be located in full sun exposure as long as environmental conditions are cool. In the case of hot climates, it is recommended to locate in partial shade. At present there are various species of ornamental interest, including: Alstroemeria aurea, Alstroemeria caryophyllacea, Alstroemeria haemantha, Alstroemeria ligtu, Alstroemeria patagonica, Alstroemeria psittacina and Alstroemeria pulchella.

General characteristics

Rhizome

Astromelia plants have a robust, white underground rhizome, from which the vertical shoots or aerial shoots are born. Similarly, lateral rhizomes are formed from the main rhizome that have the ability to generate new shoots.

Stem

The stems are located above ground level and lack lateral growth. They are rigid, erect and sparsely foliated, depending on the species and environmental conditions, they are between 20-120 cm tall.

Alstroemeria. Source: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/)

Usually they can be vegetative or reproductive. When the stems have more than 30 open leaves and do not show the outline of a floral stem, they are said to be vegetative and do not flower. Otherwise, they are reproductive stems from which the inflorescences emerge.

Leaves

The leaves are opposite, linear or lanceolate, the apex acute and the base resupinate, with evident veins and slightly wavy margins. The leaflets are glaucous in color and fleshy in consistency. They are 2 to 5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.

flowers

Astromeliads are distinguished by their striking white, yellow, orange, pink, red or purple flowers and a long postharvest life. The funnel-shaped zygomorphic flowers are formed by six petals welded at the base, six stamens and three branching stigmas on the style.

The three outer petals that make up the calyx are of equal size and a single color, the two inner petals are narrow, elongated and curved upward. The third largest petal is curved downwards and has irregular dark brown nuances or streaks.

From the aerial shoots emerge flower stems 40-80 cm long with a terminal umbel of 3-10 flowers. Flowering occurs regularly at the beginning of summer, however, depending on environmental conditions, flowering can be earlier or later each year.

Alstroemeria aurea. Source: Noodle snacks

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Liliopsida

- Order: Asparagales

- Family: Alstroemeriaceae

- Tribe: Alstroemerieae

- Genus: Alstroemeria L.

Etymology

- Alstroemeria: the genus name was named in honor of the Swedish botanist Clas Alströmer, who collected seeds of the species during a trip to South America in the 18th century.

Habitat and distribution

The genus Alstroemeria includes different perennial species that grow wild in tropical and subtropical forests of South America. Its natural habitat is located in montane ecosystems with a cool and humid climate in the mountainous foothills of the Andean mountain range.

Its geographical distribution includes regions of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Paraguay. Specifically, they are located between a latitudinal range of 26º and 40º south latitude.

Alstroemeria haemantha. Source: Carlos mourgues

Care

Spread

Commercial propagation is carried out vegetatively by division of rhizomes during autumn, in cold climates it can be carried out during spring. The technique consists of removing the clump that forms the plant every 3-4 years, dividing it appropriately and planting following the sowing pattern for each species.

Sowing / transplanting time

It is recommended to take advantage of the cool autumn temperatures to start the establishment of the plantation from rhizome division. Preferably, temperatures below 20ºC are required during the day and above 5-10ºC during the night.

In the field, the new plants need loose and deep soils that guarantee a suitable development of the root system. It is advisable to dig a planting hole 30 cm deep, loosen the soil around it, mix with organic compost and moisten thoroughly.

Location

The culture can be established in full sun exposure as long as the daytime temperature is not particularly high. Otherwise, it is advisable to place it in the shade to favor its proper development.

Weather

Most species of astromelia adapt to cool climates and, although they tolerate low temperatures, they do not withstand extreme climates. They do not adapt to cold Nordic climates or high tropical temperatures, preferring temperate climates and natural protection against strong winds.

Alstroemeria ligtu. Source: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, BC, Canada

Floor

It grows on deep, loose, permeable and fertile soils. It requires frequent humidity and good drainage, a pH between 5.8-6.8 and a good content of organic matter.

Irrigation

Moderate watering is recommended, since excess moisture can cause rotting of the root system. In the case of sandy and dry soils, it is advisable to maintain humidity, as long as there are no problems of waterlogging.

Fertilization

Its nutritional requirements are limited to periods of growth and flowering. It is recommended to make an amendment of organic fertilizers at the time of transplanting in the field and the application of mineral fertilizers before the start of flowering.

Plagues and diseases

The commercial production of astromeliads is not exempt from the attack or incidence of pests, phytopathogenic organisms and other common physiopathies.

Patagonian Alstroemeria. Source: Claudio Elias

Pests

Among the most frequent pests are aphids, aphids, thrips, spider mites, caterpillars, whiteflies, slugs, snails and nematodes. The vast majority of these insects are easily controllable as long as they are detected during the early stages of infestation.

Diseases

Under conditions of high relative humidity and excessive irrigation, the presence of soil fungi, such as Pythium and Phytophthora, is common. In hot and humid environments the presence of Rhizoctonia is frequent.

Physiopathies

The main physiopathies detected in the cultivation of astromeliads are related to the deficiencies of mineral elements. Iron deficiency manifests itself in yellowish leaves with marked dark green veins.

Magnesium deficiency causes yellowing of the leaves with the presence of green or yellow streaks. In the case of manganese, its deficiency causes the leaves to turn yellow, only the veins remain green.

Featured species

Alstroemeria aurea

Known as Alstroemeria aurantiaca, it is a species with simple and erect stems, oblong or lanceolate leaves, reaching between 40-100 cm in height. Yellow or orange flowers with reddish mottling, grouped in umbels. It grows on acid soils and tolerates occasional frosts of -12ºC.

Alstroemeria psittacina. Source: Dave Whitinger

Alstroemeria caryophyllacea

Known as the Brazilian lily, it is a species native to Brazil. It is short and compact in growth, with a long floral stem where scented red and white flowers emerge.

Alstroemeria haemantha

Herbaceous plants that reach an average height of 100 cm, lanceolate leaves, green on the upper side and glaucous on the underside. Flowers with obovate or oblong petals, 5-6 cm in diameter and an intense red or orange color.

It is native to the Valparaíso region in Chile to southern Peru, in Argentina it is common in the northwest region of Neuquén. It grows on rocky slopes of low fertility and tolerates freezing temperatures down to -15 ºC.

Alstroemeria ligtu

Native to northern Chile, it grows on dry, sandy, stony and well-drained soils. In the wild they reach between 60-100 m in height with flowers that are pink tones. In commercial plantations, hybrids of whitish, pinkish, reddish and lily tones are obtained.

Patagonian Alstroemeria

Rhizomatous and caulescent plant 40-60 cm tall, oblong or lanceolate leaves. Flowers 4-5 cm in diameter with reddish tones with brown speckles and green margins, they are grouped in umbels of 5-6 units.

It is grown as an ornamental plant throughout the southern hemisphere, including New Zealand.

Alstroemeria pulchella. Source: Auckland Museum

Alstroemeria psittacina

It grows 60-90 cm tall and forms clumps of 50-60 cm in diameter. The 4-5 cm diameter flowers are red with green edges and are arranged in umbels of 5-6 flowers.

Natural species from the Cerrado and Pantanal regions in Brazil, to the province of Misiones in Argentina.

Alstroemeria pulchella

Native species of the subtropical forests between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. However, its cultivation as an ornamental has spread to Australia, the Canary Islands and the southeastern United States.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant with abundant underlying tubers. The red or purple flowers with brown spots are grouped in umbels of 4-8 units.

References

1. Andrango Cumbal, ER (2012). Creation of a company for the production and commercialization of summer flowers "astromelia" located in Tabacundo Province of Pichincha. (Thesis). Central University of Ecuador. Faculty of Business Administration. Quito, Ecuador.
2. Alstroemeria. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
3. Alstroemeria (2019) Species 2000 & ITIS Catalog of Life. Recovered at: gbif.org
4. Pérez-Cotapos, J., Müller, C., Pertuzé, R., & Infante, R. (2007). Interspecific crosses in Alstroemeria sp. and in vitro embryo rescue as a basis for the genetic improvement of the species. Agro sur, 35 (2), 54-56.
5. Piovano, MV & Pisi, G. (2017) Cultivation of Astromeliads. National Institute of Agricultural Technology. Mendoza Experimental Station. Cuyo Rural Extension Agency. Mendoza Argentina.
6. Vivar Solórzano, VI (2011). Evaluation of the behavior and quality of the floral production of 5 cultivars of astromeliads (Alstroemeriasp.) In the district of Calana. (Thesis) "Jorge Basadre Grohmann" National University. Tacna, Peru.