Gethyum is a small, bulbous, South American genus, varyingly said to belong to the Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae or even its own family the Gilliesiaceae as the flowers have three stamens instead of six. Some authorities believe that the correct name for this genus is Solaria.
Regarding it as Gethyum, the genus contains just two species Gethyum atropurpureum and Gethyum cuspidatum of which only one is in general cultivation and even this remains a rare and little known plant.
Gethyum come from areas of Chile which have a Mediterranean type climate. This is, in effect, a geographical "bulb belt" with mild, wet winters and hot dry summers. The flowers, which appear in Spring, are intricately structured with a resemblance to some orchids, especially the fly or insect-pollinated Australian species.