Common Name: Peruvian Lily

General Information

Alstroemeria pelegrina is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of upright stems around 60cm tall from an underground, tuberous rootstock. The roots spread, forming in time quite a large clump of growth[].
The plant is occasionally harvested from the wild for local use as food, and is often grown as an ornamental in the garden, where it is valued for its attractive flowers

Known Hazards

The fresh sap of this plant can cause skin rashes in some people. The plant contains up to 2% of the compound tuliposide A, which probably hydrolizes on the skin to form the allergenic lactone tulipalin A. People who are allergic to the sap of tulips are very likely to also be sensitive to the sap of this plant[, ].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central Chile, Peru.

Habitat

Sand dunes along the coast[]. Coastal: grasslands, rocky slopes and shrublands from sea level to elevations of 3500 metres.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier subtropics, it cannot tolerate freezing conditions and prefers growing not too far from the coast where temperatures do not get too high[]. One report says that it is possibly hardy to about -10°c[]. Another report suggests that plants will only tolerate light frosts, but they should prove hardy in selected sites in the mildest areas of the temperate zone[]. It grows in areas of low rainfall ranging from 100 - 800mm, with a dry season that can last more than 6 months[].
Requires a fertile, moisture retentive well-drained soil and a warm situation in semi-shade[, ]. Prefers a dry sheltered border and a peaty loam[]. Requires a well-drained soil that stays moist in the summer[]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Somewhat intolerant of root disturbance[], the roots are fleshy and brittle[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. A source of starch[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe although seedlings can be transplanted successfully if they are moved with care whilst small. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hrs in warm water, warm stratify for 4 weeks at 25°c and then reduce the temperature to 10°c. Excising a small bit of the seed near the embryo after the seed has been warm stratified helps to speed up the germination process[]. Plant out about 20cm deep into their permanent positions in late summer or autumn[].
Division in mid spring or early autumn with care since the plant resents root disturbance[]. Ensure each portion has a growth bud[].