Hardy swamplily
Crinum bulbispermum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

Crinum bulbispermum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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): 1

Where it is found

Seasonal pools, marshes and the banks of rivers.

S. Africa - S. Transvaal and N. Natal.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root?? A number of species in this genus have edible bulbs. Although no records have been seen for this species, it is fairly hardy in Britain and the root can be as large as a football. It is worthy of investigation.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Easily grown in a moist soil or the garden border. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a warm sheltered sunny position. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c. It is probable that the plants may require winter protection with dry leaves or bracken. Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and may take several years to establish. After this, they will usually reproduce rapidly from offsets to produce the overcrowded conditions that stimulate them to flower freely. The bulbs should be planted with their necks above soil level. This conflicts with another report which says that they should be planted quite deeply in the soil. Only plant out good sized bulbs and do so at the end of May. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. The flowers emit a sweet, somewhat spicy odour which is especially pronounced at nightfall.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Bulb

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

One report says that the plant is toxic to mammals, but gives no indication as to the degree of toxicity.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. longifolium. C. capense.