Sea daffodil, Sea lily
Pancratium maritimum
Family: Amaryllidaceae
What it is like
It is a herb plant with a bulb. It grows up to 50 cm high. It is 30 cm across. The bulb is 6 cm across. The leaves are bluish-green. They are fleshy and strap shaped. They are 5-20 mm wide. The flowers are white. There are 4-12 flowers in a head. They are on stalks 30-40 cm long. The flowers have a lily scent. The fruit is a 3-valved capsule.
There are 15 Pancratium species.
Where it is found
It grows on the Atlantic coast just above the waterline. It needs a light well drained soil and very sunny position. It grows on sandy coastlines. A hot dry summer is needed to fully ripen the bulbs. It can tolerate light frosts. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Palestine, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The bulb has been reported as being cooked and eaten but it is somewhat poisonous. The seeds are eaten. It is used in salads as an onion substitute.
Edible parts
Root, seeds, bulbs
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed used as soon as they ripen. The seed should be presoaked in warm water for one hour. Germination takes 1-3 months. Plants can be grown from bulbs or division of offshoots.
Its other names
Local names
Obmorski pankracij, Pancracio