Beauty Alert: A somewhat rare—certainly hard to find—and exquisitely beautiful native plant is now in bloom at the nature center near the Universal Pond.
Carolina spider lily (Hymenocallis caroliniana or in some books Hymenocallis occidentalis) is related to several other similar species found in swampy regions around the world. With daffodil-like flowers and outward-spreading, reflexed spurs this wetland loving perennial has the appearance of a white spider, albeit only has six not eight legs. Its stalk is thick like a succulent.
Carolina spider lily is found throughout the South, except Florida, and as far north as Indiana and Illinois. Tennessee is within its known range (mostly the western Mississippi River swampy part of the state) and a check of the UT Herbarium website reveals it hasn't been documented in Knox County. (Ours could have been planted by a long ago landscaper and may not be naturally occurring.)
So finding it is a bit of a challenge; seeing it at Ijams is an unexpected treat.
Carolina spider lily (Hymenocallis caroliniana or in some books Hymenocallis occidentalis) is related to several other similar species found in swampy regions around the world. With daffodil-like flowers and outward-spreading, reflexed spurs this wetland loving perennial has the appearance of a white spider, albeit only has six not eight legs. Its stalk is thick like a succulent.
Carolina spider lily is found throughout the South, except Florida, and as far north as Indiana and Illinois. Tennessee is within its known range (mostly the western Mississippi River swampy part of the state) and a check of the UT Herbarium website reveals it hasn't been documented in Knox County. (Ours could have been planted by a long ago landscaper and may not be naturally occurring.)
So finding it is a bit of a challenge; seeing it at Ijams is an unexpected treat.
- Story and photo by Stephen Lyn Bales
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