White Crinum, Poison-Bulb, St. John’s Lily

Crinum asiaticum L.

CRY-num  aze-ee-AT-ah-cum

Liliaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek krinon, lily (HUX). The specific epithet is self-explanatory.

Natural range: Tropical Asia (HUX)

Recognition: Large bulbous lily with leaves to about 4’ long and 4” wide. The flowers fragrant, white (except in some unusual cultivars), in large umbels on long scapes, the white “petals” (tepals) forming a narrow tube to about 4” long and dividing into 6 narrow lobes. Differs from C. augustum Roxb. by having the leaves green and the flowers white (vs. flowers reddish and leaves purplish to green). Differs from the Florida native C. americanum L. by being usually larger and by having smooth (vs. small-toothed) leaf margins. Differs from Crinum jagus by not having overlapping petals (tepals).  For 'splendens' see C. procerum.

Landscape uses: Very large, umbel-bearing lilies useful where their size can be accommodated, especially in soil-enriched, sunny garden beds with reasonable moisture. Toxic and sometimes rendered unsightly by fungal infections on the foliage.