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Hymenocallis palmeri

Hymenocallis palmeri S. Watson

Alligator Lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Hymenocallis humilis

USDA Symbol: HYPA4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The Alligator Lily is a member of the lily family (family Liliaceae) which includes mostly perennial herbs from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms, some rather woody and treelike, and often showy flowers in racemes or branched racemes.

The family is extremely complex and botanists estimate 250 genera and 4,000-6,000 species. Many, including tulips and day lilies, are handsome ornamentals. Asparagus, Sarsaparilla, onions, and the medicinally useful Aloe are from the family. A few species are poisonous.