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Woodland Spiderlily Hymenocallis occidentalis var. occidentalis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Hymenocallis bidentata
  • Hymenocallis caroliniana
  • Hymenocallis moldenkiana
  • Pancratium carolinianum
Phonetic Spelling
hy-men-oh-KAL-is ok-sih-den-TAY-liss ok-sih-den-TAY-liss
Description

Woodland Spiderlily is a native perennial bulb found in mesic soil along slopes, swamps, moist fields and floodplain forests. It is the hardiest of the genus. The large, showy, fragrant flowers last only a day but bloom time is July through August.

It can be grown in average, medium to wet garden soil but must not be allowed to dry out. Best naturalized in moist sites as water gardens, ponds or boggy areas.

NC Special Concern/Historical. This variety was once native to North Carolina but has been extirpated. It has not been seen in the wild in NC in recent decades. 

 

More information on Hymenocallis occidentalis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#water garden#white flowers#riparian#pond margins#summer flowers#clumping#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#Audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#water garden#white flowers#riparian#pond margins#summer flowers#clumping#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hymenocallis
    Species:
    occidentalis
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE and central. U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a leathery green capsule with 1-3 green, fleshy seeds from July to September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant white spider-like flowers up to 7 inches across bloom in clusters from July to August. The center daffodil-like cup has 6 narrow rays that arch outward from it.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    5-12 shiny pale green, often glaucous, strap-shaped leaves up to 2 ft long in a basal clump. Arise directly from the bulb. Margins are entire, base tapering, apex subacute to acute. Leaves emerge late winter and may or may not be present when flowering occurs
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Description:
    18-22 inch naked 2-edged flowering stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil