Lycoris squamigera in bloom here in Maryland
J.E. Shields (Sat, 06 Aug 2005 07:48:16 PDT)

Hi Jim McK, and all,

Get a copy of the Chinese paper (in English) on Lycoris species from Jim
Waddick, if Jim W. still has any left. Since the hybrid origin is not all
that clear (as far as I can recall -- wait for someone to do DNA) I suspect
that the only properly published name is squamigera.

In any case, it seems that new species arise by hybridization in
nature. Since L. squamigera is reproductively isolated from other Lycoris
species including, I presume, both its original parents, it is probably a
good species anyway. Hybrid origin per se would not disqualify it;
reticulate evolution in action. I think there are parthenogenic
(apomictic) species of Zephyranthes (rain lilies) that are considered good
species botanically.

I don't have bloom size squamigera planted here, but I have one scape each
showing on LL. sprengeri, chinensis, and longituba. More should be popping
up any day now.

Regards,
Jim Shields
in central Indiana (USA)

At 10:27 AM 8/6/2005 -0400, Jim McK. wrote:

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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