Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Hymenocallis caroliniana (Carolina spider-lily)
Clagett, Majorie

Hymenocallis caroliniana (L.) Herbert

Carolina spider-lily, Carolina spiderlily, Rain lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonyms: Hymenocallis occidentalis

USDA Symbol: HYCA9

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Carolina spider-lily is a smooth, fleshy or succulent perennial,1 1/2-2 1/2 ft. tall. Fragrant, white, spider-like, blossoms, up to 7 in. across, occur in clusters of up to six at the top of leafless stalks. The leaves are pale-green, shiny, and up to 2 ft. long.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX
Native Distribution: S. IN to s. MO, s. to the Gulf
Native Habitat: Swamps; moist fields; bottomlands
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy, wet soils.
Conditions Comments: One bulb will multiply to form a dense clump. Good in wet, boggy settings and in water gardens. Foliage dies back in mid-summer.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Poisonous to many animals.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Divide small bulbs from base of mature bulbs. Can also be propagated by seed planted shallowly.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hymenocallis caroliniana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hymenocallis caroliniana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hymenocallis caroliniana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back