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Cressler, Alan

Hymenocallis latifolia

Hymenocallis latifolia (Mill.) M. Roem.

Perfumed Spiderlily, Perfumed Spider-lily

Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)

Synonym(s): Hymenocallis caymanensis, Hymenocallis collieri, Hymenocallis keyensis, Hymenocallis kimballiae, Pancratium latifolium

USDA Symbol: HYLA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Strap-like, leathery, evergreen leaves, often 2 1/2+ ft. in length, arise in rosettes from a large bulb. The flowering stalk arises from the center of the plant and extends beyond the leaves. Ten to sixteen delicate, white flowers are borne at the end of the stalk. Each flower is composed of a slender tube 5-6 in. long which terminates as six narrow 5 in. petals curving back from the center.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: S. FL & the Keys
Native Habitat: Higher sites in mangrove swamps

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soil.
Conditions Comments: A surprisingly adaptable plant.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagation is by seed or offsets. Seeds produce a mature plant in a year. Bulbs separated from an established cluster should be placed with the neck of the bulb exposed.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU			FACU

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski

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Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Research Literature

Reslit 187 - The Phylogeny of the Southeastern United States Hymenocallis (Amaryllidaceae) Based on ISSR Fingerprinting and Morphological Data (2010) C. M. Bush, D. Rollins and G. L. Smith
Reslit 185 - Wetland Restoration and Invasive Species: Apple snail (Pomacea insularum) Feeding on Native and Invasive Aquatic Plants (2009) L. E. Burlakova, A. Y. Karatayev, D. K. Padilla, L...

This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: TWC Staff

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