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Publication #FPS198

Eucharis amazonica Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily1

Edward F. Gilman2

Introduction

Amazon lily forms tight, compact rosettes of deep green, glossy leaves up to several inches wide, and tall spikes of fragrant, long-lasting, waxy, white flowers (Fig. 1). They make nice container plants for a shaded deck or patio, or can be planted among other small plants in a rock garden. They have also been used as a groundcover planted two to three feet apart.

General Information

Scientific name: Eucharis amazonica
Pronunciation: YOO-kuh-riss am-uh-ZOE-nick-uh
Common name(s): Amazon lily, Eucharist lily
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Plant type: bulb/tuber; perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Figure 1. 

Amazon lily
Uses: ground cover; accent
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Figure 2. 

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Plant habit: spreading; upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen
Leaf blade length: 8 to 12 inches; 12 to 18 inches; 18 to 36 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: winter flowering; spring flowering; showy; pleasant fragrance

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance:
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Native to the Andes of Columbia and Peru—not the Amazon—Amazon lily requires shade for its tender leaves and looks best when grown in rich, moist organic matter. Amazon lily should be kept on the dry side during the winter to stimulate flowering. Amazon lily can remain undisturbed for many years, blooming better under crowded conditions, whether in a pot or in large, outdoor clumps.

Propagation is by division.

Pest and Diseases

Problems include caterpillars, spider mites, and bulb mites.

Amazon lily is occasionally bothered by viruses and bulb rot.

Figure 3. 

Flower of Amazon lily

Footnotes

1.

This document is FPS198, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October, 1999. Reviewed June, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.