Hymenocallis occidentalis (Leconte) Kunth

Woodland Spider Lily; Northern Spider Lily; Swamp Spider Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Woodland Spider Lily is a native herbaceous perennial from a bulb in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Woodland Spider Lily occurs in floodplain forests, on the banks of rivers and streams, and in upland mesic hardwood forests, sometimes a considerable distance from water. It is a perennial from a large globose bulb. There are no rhizomes. The plant produces 5-12 oblanceolate, glabrous and often glaucous, entire leaves. The leaves emerge in late winter or early spring and may or may not be present at flowering. The leaves are channeled and widest beyond the middle. Fragrant flowers are produced on a naked scape. The flower consists of a short tube and six white, linear, spreading tepals. The stamens are united into a showy funnel-form or rotate white corona with a small yellowish green “eye”. The portion of the corona between the stamens is toothed, usually with 3 teeth. The fruit is a leathery green capsule with 1-3 green, fleshy seed. Woodland Spider Lily has a long history of cultivation in Alabama and can often be seen in home landscapes. This is the most cold hardy of the Spider Lily species, and plants collected by Mary G. Henry near Evergreen, Alabama, have put on an annual display at the Henry Foundation’s garden in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania for over 40 years. Spider Lily species are very difficult to identify from herbarium specimens. When trying to identify one take note of the habitat, position and color of the leaves, shape and color of the corona, and presence or absence of rhizomes. Woodland Spider Lily is often available through nurseries or it can be grown from divisions or seed. It does well in most wet or moist soils in full or partial sun. The plants seem to attract Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers which will decimate the flowering scapes in minutes.--A. Diamond

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Native

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