About Alstroemeria psittacina Lehm.
Alstroemeria psittacina is a perennial herb that grows from underground tubers. Its flowers form umbel clusters containing 3 to 8 individual flowers, and flower petals range in color from red to reddish-purple, sometimes marked with brownish spots. This species is native to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, and has escaped cultivation to grow in the wild in Australia (including New South Wales and Norfolk Island), New Zealand, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the southeastern United States (including eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida). Alstroemeria psittacina is grown as an ornamental by plant nurseries for use in temperate gardens, such as those in California. It is a popular ornamental plant in New Zealand, where it typically blooms around Christmastime and is commonly called the New Zealand Christmas bell. This species has been reported to be an invasive plant, and it is a natural host for Alstroemeria mosaic potyvirus.
