Golden Spider Lily
Lycoris aurea
Family: Amaryllidaceae
What it is like
Lycoris aurea is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
oblanceolate, ca. 3 × 0.5 cm, margin strongly undulate. Stamens Shady and moist places on slopes and in rock crevices at elevations from 100 - 2300 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The crushed bulb is used as a poultice for treating burns, scalds and ulcers. The bulb contains lycorine, which is cytotoxic.
Cytotoxic: Destroys body cells. Used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, where it is targeted against the cancer cells.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a deep well-drained sandy soil rich in organic matter in full sun. Plants require a dry period when they become dormant in the summer and they also dislike winter wet. Hardy to at least -15°c. Plants are attractive to slugs and need to be protected from them. Very sensitive to root disturbance, the bulbs can take some years to become well established.
Propagating it: The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse and should germinate in the spring. Sow the seed thinly so that it does not need to be disturbed for its first year of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed during the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs when the plants become dormant, placing 2 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another 2 years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant. Division of offsets in the dormant season.
Best place to grow: South Wall. By.
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist