Hymenocallis arenicola

Hymenocallis arenicola Northrop

Common Names: Spider Lily, Bay Lily, Sea Lily

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Habit: Hymenocallis arenicola is an herb that produces a basal rosette of semi succulent linear leaves from a fleshy underground bulb. The leaves are parallel veined, up to 8 cm wide and 70 cm long with a rounded leaf apex.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in an umbel bearing up to 14 sessile flowers. The calyx has 3 sepals and the corolla has 3 petals. The calyx and corolla are both white and are fused together at their base. There are 6 stamens partially fused to the perianth forming a tubular hypanthium. The ovary is inferior and has 3 locules containing two ovules each. The fruit is drupe that is white at maturity.

Habitat: Hymenocallis arenicola grows in a sand substrate on Dunes and in yards.

Distribution: Hymenocallis arenicola occurs in the northern and central islands of the Lucayan Archipelago as well as southern Florida and most of the Caribbean region.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Hymenocallis arenicola has been used in the Lucayan Archipelago to treat respiratory illnesses.

Hymenocallis arenicola is commonly used in the horticultural industry especially for coastal areas in the southern United States and the Caribbean.