Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Lampkin, Nature Coast FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

string lily, swamp lily

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Crinum americanum

Family:

Amaryllidaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1-2 ft tall by 1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

green

Phenology:

Evergreen, winter dormant. Can bloom at any time of year -- in the north generally in spring. In central Florida, often in late fall-winter.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Moist wildflower gardens. Easily grown along streams.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Division of bulbs, seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Aquatic ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars

Pollinated by sphinx moths. Larval host for Spanish moth a.k.a. convict caterpillar ( Xanthopastis timais )

Native Habitats:

Riverine swamps, riverine marshes, open wet prairies.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This is a wetland plant, but it will do well once established in a moist garden setting.