Crinum bulbispermum

(Burm. f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick.

Hardy Swamplily

Amaryllidaceae Edible: Root, Bulb ? 1,498 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Crinum bulbispermum is a herbaceous plant native to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. It is naturalized in the Lesser Antilles, Honduras, Cuba, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Crinum bulbispermum is the floral emblem of the Free State province of South Africa.

Description

A herb which has a bulb and is dormant for part of the year. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are flat and strap shaped. They are 60-90 cm long. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are funnel shaped and have purple or white streaked lobes. The tube of the flower is green. The flower can be 12 cm long and is curved.

Edible Uses

Several species in this genus have edible bulbs. No specific records exist for this species, but as it is fairly hardy in Britain and can produce bulbs as large as a football, it is considered worthy of investigation as a potential food source.

Traditional Uses

Caution: Poisonous

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It cannot stand frost. It needs a warm sheltered position. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. It needs a reasonably fertile and well drained soil. It does best in full sun but can stand light shade. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Slovenia, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Swaziland,

Cultivation

It can be grown from offsets of the bulb or by dividing the clump.

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe, placing 2–3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse without covering them. Stored seed can be sown in April or May in a warm greenhouse. Thin to one plant per pot if desired and give occasional liquid feeds to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Grow on in the greenhouse for at least the first two years before planting out in spring. Offsets can be divided in April/May or in September; divisions made in spring can go directly into permanent positions, while September divisions should be potted and overwintered in the greenhouse.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are over 100 Crinum species.

Synonyms

Crinum longifolium

Also Known As

Dolgolistna kljukasta lilija, Vaal River lily

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 297
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 434
J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 52:161. 1939
Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 54
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references