Illuminating shady slopes with its brilliant golden-yellow flowers, Lycoris aurea var. angustitepala displays a highly specialized floral structure within the genus. This bulbous perennial emerges in late summer or early autumn, creating a vivid contrast against dark forest soils. Its distinctive narrow tepals set it apart from other members of the species.
Its native range spans humid subtropical regions, where it grows in moist, rocky crevices. The plant remains dormant during the hot summer months before sending up its flower scapes.
The bulb of Lycoris aurea var. angustitepala is ovoid, producing robust, fleshy roots. During the autumn blooming season, the stout scape grows to a height of 40 to 60 centimeters. The terminal inflorescence is an umbel bearing 5 to 10 golden-yellow flowers.
As the variety name indicates, the tepals are noticeably narrower than those of the typical variety. These tepals are lanceolate, slightly recurved, and exhibit wavy margins. The stamens are nearly equal in length to the tepals, carrying yellow-green anthers.
Fleshy, ensiform leaves appear in autumn after the flowers fade, remaining green throughout the winter season before senescing in late spring. This seasonal growth pattern helps the plant capture maximum sunlight during winter when surrounding deciduous plants are bare.
Late summer to autumn
Cultivated primarily by botanical collectors, Lycoris aurea var. angustitepala is prized for its rare floral shape. It is suited for woodland gardens, shaded rockeries, and native plant restoration projects in subtropical zones. The vivid yellow blooms provide late-season color when few other forest plants are in flower.
The toxic root system prevents damage from common garden pests. This makes it useful for low-maintenance landscaping in areas with high pest pressure.
The yellow pigmentation of Lycoris aurea var. angustitepala is due to high concentrations of carotenoids in the petals. This color is less common in the genus compared to red and white forms. The variety epithet angustitepala directly translates to narrow tepals, highlighting its main diagnostic feature.
Picrasma
A genus of deciduous trees and shrubs known for their extremely bitter bark and medicinal …
Araucaria humboldtensis
A small, critically endangered coniferous tree native strictly to the high-altitude mountain peaks of southern …
Araucaria sect. Araucaria
Araucaria sect. Araucaria is a botanical section of evergreen conifers native to South America. It …
Araucaria
Araucaria is a genus of majestic, evergreen coniferous trees native to the Southern Hemisphere. Known …