Pamianthe peruviana

The perennial plants with bulbs^[6] produce 5-7 linear leaves^[7] with a prominent mid vein,^[8] which form a pseudo-stem of up to 30 cm in length. Each leaf may reach lengths of up to 50 cm and widths of 2–4 cm.^[6]

The bisexual, radially symmetrical flowers are intensely fragrant.^[9][10][6] They resemble the flowers of Pancratium.^[11][3] They are produced in groups of 2-4 flowers, which have a 12–25 cm long perianth tube with three nectariferous channels. These features could suggest moth pollination. The pedicel is 1.5–3 cm long. With 8 cm of length, the outer tepals are slightly longer than the 7 cm long staminal cup.^[8] The incurved stamens with dorsifixed anthers are inserted in deep notches of the staminal cup, or corona.^[6]

Pamianthe is presumed to be moth pollinated based on their floral morphology.^[12] Specifically sphingid moths come into question.^[8] The plant is self compatible. The fruit takes 12–15 months to mature.^[11][6][10] Rapid germination occurs under humid conditions at 16-21 °C.^[13][6] Seedlings reach maturity within four to five years.^[11][14]

Pamianthe peruviana can also reproduce asexually through stolons.^[15][16]

The diploid chromosome count of Pamianthe is 2n = 46.^[17][18]

The generic name Pamianthe refers to Major Albert Pam.^{[19][20][8][21]} The specific epithet peruviana references this species origin in Peru.

Pam discovered the species in 1926 on a bulb collecting expedition in Peru.^[20] Other sources state he received bulbs from Peru in 1928.^[16][8] Pam, who introduced the species to horticulture, was a friend of the horticulturalist Edward Augustus Bowles (1865 - 1954),^[21][19] to whom he gave a Pamianthe peruviana specimen in the 1930s.^[22] He also donated Pamianthe peruviana to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1937.^[23]

It was found along streams in the warm to temperate northern region of Peru at elevations of 1800 m above sea level.^[24][25]

There is conflicting information on the taxon authorship of this species. One source claims it to be anonymous,^[26] whereas most give Otto Stapf as the taxon author. The type specimen, which was cultivated by Albert Pam in the United Kingdom, is associated with Stapf as the taxon author.^[27]

Pamianthe peruviana is the type species of the genus Pamianthe.^[8]

Despite being the same taxon,^[2][8] it has been reported that Pamianthe cardenasii were a bulbous geophyte, and Pamianthe peruviana were an epiphyte.^[28]

Some degree of possible hybridization was identified between Pamianthe peruviana and Pamianthe ecollis. According to a molecular clock analysis, both species shared a common ancestor 18.22 million years ago. This means Pamianthe peruviana diverged in the early Miocene.^[1]