Native Plants
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.
Hymenocallis occidentalis var. occidentalis
Hymenocallis occidentalis (Leconte) Kunth var. occidentalis
Northern Spiderlily, Carolina Spiderlily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Hymenocallis bidentata, Hymenocallis caroliniana, Hymenocallis moldenkiana, Pancratium carolinianum
USDA Symbol: HYOCO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TXNative Distribution: S. IN to s. MO, s. to the Gulf
Native Habitat: Swamps; moist fields; bottomlands
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
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.Commercially Avail: yes
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
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
Additional resources
USDA: Find Hymenocallis occidentalis var. occidentalis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Hymenocallis occidentalis var. occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hymenocallis occidentalis var. occidentalis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: JAM