Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: giant Peruvian daffodil, Paramongaia

Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)

Distribution: Peru, north of Lima

Habitat: In coastal vegetation and on steep rocky (granite) hillsides on the lower slopes of the Andes.

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber - seasonally dormant)

Comments: The giant Peruvian daffodil is deciduous bulb that is native to Peru. There are two forms of this species. At 3000m high up in the Andes, the summer growing form is triggered out of dormancy by late winter/early spring rains. The coastal winter growing form enters into its growth cycle with the onset of the winter rain and goes dormant during the dry summer months. During the growing season, blue tinted strap-like leaves are produced along with stronlgy scented, large, yellow flowers. Thought to be rare in nature because it likely occupies a relatively small area.