Zephyranthes minuta is a perennial flowering plant species also referred to as Zephyranthes grandiflora. The latter is, however, an illegitimate name because the original author in coining the name Zephyranthes grandiflora listed the older name Amaryllis minuta as a synonym.Lindley, John. 1925. Zephyranthes grandiflora, Large-flowered Zephyranthes. Botanical Register 11: pl. 902 This makes "minuta"Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von, Bonpland, Aimé Jacques Alexandre & Karl Sigismund Kunth. 1816. Nova Genera et Species Plantarum (quarto ed.) 1: 278. Amaryllis minuta the acceptable epithet under the ICN. Confusingly, Z. grandiflora is also used as a synonym for Zephyranthes carinata, and this usage is very common in horticultural contexts.Plant Finder search results: Rain lily Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
In the UK Z. minuta is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.AGM Plants August 2012. p. 120.
Description Zephyranthes minuta is a bulb-forming perennial with shiny green leaves up to 7 mm wide. Flowers in wild specimens are usually pink, funnel-shaped, up to 9 cm long. Cultivated specimens are frequently larger, often with extra tepals.Dietrich, David Nathaniel Friedrich. 1840. Synopsis Plantarum 2: 1176, Zephyranthes minuta
Distribution Zephyranthes minuta is native to Mexico and Guatemala.
Chemical composition
The following compounds are found in this plant: Pancratistatin, Zephgrabetaine, Lycorine, Galanthine, Lycoramine, Hamayne, Hamanthamine, Tortuosine, Ungeremin.
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