What's in a name? That which we call a rain lily by any other name would smell as sweet

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. The generic name for rain lilies, which have lots of common names, is Zephyranthes. That genus contains about 180 species, all native to the western hemisphere. They are tender bulbs, and although somewhat insulated by having an inch of soil above them, are limited to warmer parts of eastern and southern states, and a few western coastal areas. The name Zephyranthes has a charming origin. In Greek mythology, Zephyrus is the west wind and husband of Chloris, goddess of flowers. As they sometimes bloom around Easter, which can come late or early, a peculiar holiday, another of their many common names is Easter lily. Atamasco, the species that grows here, comes from an indigenous name meaning “stained with red” but they are mostly white with a little pink around the edges.