*Lycoris radiata (L'Héritier) Herbert. Common name: Surprise Lily, Hurricane Lily, Red Spider Lily, Fire Lily, Magic Lily. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Frequently cultivated, sometimes persistent for long periods of time, especially in lawns around older homes. Distribution: Native of e. Asia.
Origin/Endemic status: E. and se. Asia
Taxonomy Comments: The sterile triploid cultivar flowers Sep-Oct, the fertile diploid cultivar Jul-early Aug.
Other Comments: Leaves and flowers are not present at the same time. Reported as "established as waifs over past decade in lawn" in Jackson County, NC by Pittillo & Brown (1988). Basionym: Amaryllis radiata L'Hér. 1788
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 1 - 2'
plant sale text: Red spider lily is a perennial bulb, native to China, Korea and Nepal that was introduced to the US after one of the first trade missions to Japan in 1854. While not native, it is also non-invasive. The showy late summer flowers and cool season foliage make a nice addition to any garden. Our bulbs come from the Coker Arboretum where they were initially planted in the 1940s and have multiplied to become one of the most breathtaking displays of the whole year. Clusters of large red spidery flowers float atop sturdy stems in late summer. After flowering each bulb produces a rounded clump of strap-like leaves that lasts through winter.
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native range: China, Korea & Nepal