Alstroemeriaceae Family

About the Alstroemeriaceae or Alstroemeria Family

Alstroemeriaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes around 200 species distributed mainly in South America, although some are also found in North America and Asia. The family is named after the Swedish botanist Clas Alströmer, who was one of Carl Linnaeus' students. These plants are perennial herbs, shrubs, or vines and are commonly known as Peruvian lilies or Inca lilies. They are grown for their attractive flowers, which come in a wide range of colors including shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white.

Taxonomy and Classification

Alstroemeriaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Liliales. It was previously classified under the order Alismatales, but recent phylogenetic analysis has led to its placement within Liliales. The family contains four genera: Alstroemeria, Bomarea, Leontochir, and Schickendantzia. Alstroemeria is the largest genus with around 190 species, and is found mainly in South America, although some species are also native to Central America and Mexico. Bomarea is the second-largest genus with around 120 species, and is mainly found in South America. Other genera are small and contain only a few species. Alstroemeriaceae is related to other families in Liliales such as Liliaceae and Colchicaceae.

Morphology and Characteristics

Plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae are generally herbaceous or woody and can be either evergreen or deciduous. They have thick perennial roots that grow horizontally underground, forming rhizomes or tubers. The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire, and can be either basal or cauline. The flowers are showy and borne in umbel-like cymes or solitary on long stalks. They have six petals, six stamens, and a single pistil with three fused carpels. The fruit is a capsule containing many small seeds. Some notable features of this family include their zygomorphic flowers (bilaterally symmetrical) and the presence of nectar spurs in some species.

Distribution and Habitat

The family Alstroemeriaceae is mainly distributed in South America, where it occurs from Mexico to southern Chile and Argentina. Some species are also found in Central America, particularly in Costa Rica and Panama, and a few occur in Asia. They are most diverse in the Andes mountain range, which runs along the western coast of South America. In their native habitats, these plants grow in a variety of ecosystems such as grasslands, savannas, forests, and wetlands. Some species are adapted to high-altitude environments and can be found growing at elevations above 4,000 meters. Most species prefer well-drained soils with moderate moisture levels.

Economic and Ecological Importance

Alstroemeriaceae has both economic and ecological importance. Many species in the family, particularly those in the genus Alstroemeria, are grown as ornamental plants for their attractive flowers. They are widely cultivated all over the world and are used in floral arrangements, gardens, and landscapes.

Several species in the family are also used traditionally for medicinal purposes. For example, some Andean communities use Alstroemeria ligtu or "ayni k'uchu" to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Other species have been found to contain compounds with potential therapeutic applications against cancer and other diseases.

Ecologically, Alstroemeriaceae plays an important role in their native ecosystems. They provide habitat and food sources for pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. Some species are also known to form mycorrhizal associations with fungi that help them take up nutrients from the soil. Additionally, several species in the family are considered threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and overcollection, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these unique plants.

Notable Species

Some notable species in the family Alstroemeriaceae include:

  • Alstroemeria aurea: Also known as the Golden Inca, this species is native to Chile and Argentina. It has bright yellow flowers with red stripes and is commonly used in floral arrangements.

  • Alstroemeria psittacina: This species, also known as the Parrot Lily, is native to South America. Its flowers have a distinctive shape and come in shades of red, pink, and orange.

  • Bomarea salsilla: A species of Bomarea found in Colombia and Ecuador, it grows at high altitudes and features delicate, tubular white flowers that bloom in summer.

  • Leontochir ovallei: Native to Chile, this species features large, showy flowers with bright yellow petals and red-orange spots.

  • Schickendantzia ovata: This species is found in southern Chile and Argentina. It has small, white or pink flowers and is notable for its widely spaced leaves and distinctive herringbone pattern on the stem.

Many Alstroemeriaceae species are cultivated for their ornamental value and are widely grown throughout the world. Some species are also used in traditional medicine, while others are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and other factors.