Hardy Swamplily
Crinum bulbispermum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

A herb which has a bulb and is dormant for part of the year. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are flat and strap shaped. They are 60-90 cm long. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are funnel shaped and have purple or white streaked lobes. The tube of the flower is green. The flower can be 12 cm long and is curved.

There are over 100 Crinum species.

Where it is found

It cannot stand frost. It needs a warm sheltered position. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. It needs a reasonably fertile and well drained soil. It does best in full sun but can stand light shade. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Slovenia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

Caution: Poisonous

Edible parts

Root, bulb ?

How it is grown

It can be grown from offsets of the bulb or by dividing the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Dolgolistna kljukasta lilija, Vaal River lily

Synonyms

Crinum longifolium;