Zephyra is a genus in the Tecophilaeaceae family native to Chile.
Zephyra elegans, tentative ID confirmed by Harold Koopowitz and Alberto Castillo. The first photograph was taken by Jane McGary in October 2002 in an area of north coastal Chile just south of Antofogasta. She notes this coastal species probably will not tolerate much if any frost. The last two photos were taken by Osmani Baullosa.
In late September and early October, 2011, Eugene Zielinski and friends made a trip to Chile to observe (and photograph) the flowering desert. Exceptional midwinter rains, and even some snow, practically guaranteed heavy blooming from the bulbs, annuals, perennials, and shrubs in the desert. This species bloomed abundantly along the coast, particularly in the Huasco area. Flower color ranged from pure white to white with sky blue petal tips. These photographs were taken between Huasco and Carrizalillo by Eugene Zielinski. In the last photo it is pictured with Encelia canescens.
