Hymenocallis coronaria (Leconte) Kunth

Cahaba Lily; Shoals Spider Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Cahaba Lily is a native herbaceous perennial in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It can be found in the central and north-central portions of Alabama. Cahaba Lily occurs on shoals of streams and rivers north of the Fall Line. It is a clump forming perennial from a large globose bulb. Leaves are deciduous, liguliform (strap-shaped) with a prominent channel, glabrous, with entire margins. Leaves are up to 3 feet in length. Flowers are produced at the apex of a glaucous scape. Each scape has between 3-7 fragrant flowers. There are six linear, white sepals that subtend the chalicelike corona. The corona is white with a large yellow-green “eye”. There are six long stamens that are partially fused to the corona. The margins of the corona between the filaments of the stamens has 2 prominent teeth. The fruit is a subglobose green capsule. Unlike other species of Hymenocallis, the seed of the Cahaba Lily sink. This allows them to become lodged in cracks and between rocks where they can become established. Cahaba Lily is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G2 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County is an excellent location to observe this species. The Cahaba Lily Festival is held on the third Saturday each year in West Blocton, Alabama.--A. Diamond

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Native S2 (State Rank) G2 (Global Rank)

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