In honour of Claus Alstroemer (1736–1794), who collected plants for Linnaeus.
Perennial rhizomatous herbs with tuberous roots. Leaves annual on erect herbaceous stems, nonsheathing, obovate, the stalk twisted, inverting the leaf blade. Flowers open bowl-shaped to more or less tubular, bilaterally symmetrical, stalked. Inflorescences terminal, branched, many-flowered loose umbels. Tepals 3+3, free, at least some conspicuously spotted or striped. Stamens 3+3. Fruit a dehiscent capsule. Seeds ovoid, rugose, brown to red.
Several species and numerous hybrids used horticulturally, at least four species are grown in Australia.
About 60 species from C and S America.
The inverted leaves; non-climbing habit and dry capsule and seeds.
Bayer (1987), Sanso (1996).
Source: (2005). Alstroemeriaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.