Zephyranthes candida
White Rain Lily
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Bulbous perennial growing about 1x1’ with grassy or onion-like foliage. White crocus-like flowers with yellow stamens emerge in warm weather, especially in response to a rise in humidity like during our monsoons.
Grow in full to part sun (avoid reflective heat), provide moderate water and good drainage. Hardy to 0° F. Plants may temporarily go dormant in hot weather or during the colder temperatures. Plants that are reluctant to bloom often are in too much shade. Though plants can grow in normal landscape conditions, they can also grow in running water margins, and are often found at riversides in their native habitat.
The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
The name for the genus has Greek origins as Zephyrus is the name for the Greek god of the west wind and 'anthos' means "flower" so a literal translation is "flowers of the western wind" and is in reference to the way the flowers on their slender stems dance in a wind. The specific epithet 'candida' means "pure white' or "shining white", referring to the color of the flowers.
The plant is widely cultured as an ornamental flower and used as a medicinal plant in mainland China. The whole plants of Z. candida are used to treat infantile convulsions, epilepsy, and tetanus.
This species is native to marshes and bogs from Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. In Argentina it lines both shores along the Rio de la Plata and it is these flowers that gives the river this name.
Flower detail, photo by sadadbillah on iNaturalist
Plant in habitat, Isla Martín García, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by Romi Galeota Lencina, iNaturalist
Though plants don't need to be submerged in running water, they can handle it. Photo by Ryo.T, iNaturalist.