Effect:
antiviral, antineoplastic
Areas of application:
Wound healing
Parts of the plant used:
Leaves, bulb
Collection time:
none known
Where to find:
The neotropical distribution area extends from the southeastern and south-central USA (15 species), through the Caribbean islands and Central America to South America.
Ingredients:
not known
Other:
Spider Lilies grow as perennial herbaceous plants. They live as evergreen plants or geophytes and form bulbs as perennial organs. The egg-shaped or spherical bulbs have a tunic (onion skin). 2 to 16 leaves are formed directly above the bulb, which are rarely stalked. The leaf blades are narrow to broadly tongue-shaped or oblong-lanceolate, rarely egg-shaped to elliptical. A more or less long leafless inflorescence stem is formed. Two to three triangular, egg-shaped or lanceolate bracts protectively envelop the budding flowers and hang down when open. The umbel-shaped inflorescence contains one to 16 mostly stalkless, upright or slightly diverging flowers, each above an often narrow lanceolate bract. The large, star-shaped, fragrant flowers are radially symmetrical and trifoliate. The six identically shaped bracts are fused at their base to form a more or less long tube. There are six fertile stamens. A particularly striking feature of Hymenocallis species is the funnel- or wheel-shaped corona that stands above the perianth and is formed from the fused areas of the stamens. The edges of the corona are often serrated or torn. The often long, thread-like, free area of the stamens is bent back or ascending. The pollen is yellow, often gold or orange. Three carpels are fused to form a spherical, egg-shaped, oblong or pear-shaped, inferior, three-chambered ovary. Each ovary chamber contains two to ten ovules. The thin style ends in a capitate stigma. (Wikipedia)
The genus Hymenocallis includes 50 to 65 species. The varieties of some species and hybrids are used as ornamental plants in tropical parks and gardens.