Urceolina (Baker) Traub is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family native to Central America to Bolivia and northern Brazil. It is in the Eucharideae tribe. The formerly accepted genus Eucharis Planch. & Linden in 2025 is regarded as a synonym of this genus. Some authorities also include Caliphruria. Species in the former genus Eucharis were found in rainforest understory and had true bulbs with above ground structures as petiolate leaves. The understory rainforest habit meant that species could be grown in situations without much bright light. Many species of this genus share the common name Amazon lily.
Urceolina amazonica (Linden) Christenh. & Byng, syn. Eucharis amazonica Linden ex Planch., is widely cultivated, although very commonly confused with U. × grandiflora. Staminal cup measures 11.2-13.8 mm long to apex of teeth and 28-30 mm wide, margins are slightly recurved, interior is stained green particularly along filamental traces and shallowly cleft between stamens. Height range: 1-2 ft. This species has a narrow distribution from Huallaga valley near Moyobamba and Tarapoto, northeastern Peru. This species is at least partly sterile (Meerow 1989). Viable seeds have never been produced in cultivation and the whole population is thought to be a single clone. Plants flower at least twice a year, July-August and December-March. Flower fragrance is sweet and spicy and seems stronger during the day.
In cultivation, this plant can be grown as a houseplant with little humidity in the air. A slightly sunny window with filtered light is best, although some members find that too much direct light can cause the leaves to scorch. During the active growing season, it also likes a lot of water and occasional fertilizing if possible. The mix should be rich in organic matter but well drained. In tropical climates, the plant will bloom naturally without special treatment. In other climates, drought or temperature stress is necessary to induce bloom. To provide drought stress, during spring and fall allow the leaves to flop a little before watering again (Marc Hachadourian). For cold stress, growing at 80 °F followed by a drop in temperature for 3-5 weeks at 70 °F induced a 95% flowering rate (J. van Bragt et al. 1986). The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen of a plant that went through major stress, including root disturbance and defoliation. It responded by flowering.
The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen show other views of the flowers. These bulbs were starved of water for a month or two and then watered again. During dormancy, they did not lose their leaves.
Urceolina astrophiala Ravenna, syn. Eucharis astrophiala (Ravenna) Ravenna, is native to Ecuador. The name "astrophiala" means "star-shapped cup". Height range: to about 2 ft. The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen of the flowers. The flowers are small and are distinctive from other species.
Urceolina formosa (Meerow) Christenh. & Byng, syn. Eucharis formosa Meerow, is a variable species native mostly to Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. It can be found in rich, moist soil in premontane and lower montane rainforest 100-1800 m (330-5900 ft). In habitat it flowers from January-March. "Floral fragrance slightly fetid; flowers pendent; staminal cup less than 15 mm long to apex of teeth or lobes, cleft 3-5 mm between each stamen, nonplicate; staminal teeth (if present) much less than half the length of the subulate portion of the filament; style exserted ca. 1 cm beyond the anthers" (Meerow 1989). In cultivation it grows well as a houseplant with very little light requirements, although it will bloom better with more than average indoor light. Give the plant a well-drained, high organic mix and water frequently with occasional fertilizer. The strain in cultivation is self-compatible. Height range: to about 2 ft.
The photos below from Nhu Nguyen show seed pods and seed characters. The pods mature to a beautiful orange.
Urceolina × grandiflora (Planch. & Linden) Traub, syn. Eucharis × grandiflora]] Planch. & Linden, is a natural hybrid of Urceolina moorei (Baker) Christenh. & Byng and Urceolina sanderi (Baker) Traub that is often confused with Urceolina amazonica. It is found from Colombia to Ecuador, and is one of the few in cultivation. The flowers are white and fragrant. Staminal cups much shorter than 5-7 mm long to apex of teeth, 23-25 mm wide, green in the proximal half, white distally. Height range: 1-2 ft. The first photo is from Sheila Burrow. The second was taken June 2004 by Jay Yourch. Osmani Baullosa took #3-4 showing the buds and a close-up of a blooming flower. Photos #5-6 were contributed by the UC Botanical Garden.
Urceolina microcrater Kraenzl. is a rare species from the eastern slopes with bright green and yellow flowers in the shape of an inverted urn, pinched above the mouth. Height range: to about 2 ft. Photos from Anders Bo Petersen.
Photographs by Rimmer de Vries of a plant from Telos bulbs. The seeds are shown on a 1/16th inch pitch grid.
Urceolina peruviana (C.Presl) J.F.Macbr., see Stenomesson miniatum (Herb.) Ravenna
Urceolina plicata (Meerow) Christenh. & Byng, syn. Eucharis plicata] Meerow, is native from Peru to Bolivia. It is found on the understory of wet primary forests. The species is named because of the plicate (pleats) folding of the staminal cup. This species is one of the easier ones to grow. Bulbs can bloom several times a year. Height range: 50-60 cm. Photos by Nhu Nguyen.
The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen and show various aspects of the plants.
Urceolina subedentata (Baker) Traub see Caliphruria subedentata Baker