CRINUM

Crinum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 292. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5. 141. 1754; Holmes, Fl. North Amer. @ eFloras.org 26: 278; Fl. China @ eFloras. org 24: 265.

Herbs, perennial, bulbiferous, scapose, from bulbs with elongate columnar apices. Leaves large, basal thick; blade ligulate, lorate (strap-shaped) or ensiform (sword-shaped) not narrowed near the base, with extensible fibres visible when torn. Flowering stem (scape) solid. Inflorescence umbellate, few- to many-flowered, subtended by 2 large, broad, lanceolate, scarious bracts forming spathe. Flowers sessile or pedicellate, actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic. Perianth connate proximally, red to white, often striped, streaked or overlaid with red abaxially, funnelform to salverform to semicampanulate; tube straight to curved, nearly of same length as limb lobes; lobes oblong, lanceolate or linear, straight or curved upwards. Stamens inserted on perianth tube or throat; filaments thin, often declinate; anthers versatile. Ovary inferior, globose, 3-locular, ovules 2-many per loculus; style slightly decumbent, slender; stigma small, capitate. Fruit capsular, globose or subglobose, usually prominently beaked; dehiscing irregularly. Seeds fleshy; orbicular or angular, large, testa often corky.

114 species

Crinum asiaticum

Crinum asiaticum L. Sp. Pl. 1: 292. 1753; Fl. North Amer. @ eFloras.org 26: 279

Herbs perennial, stout. Bulbs narrowly cylindric. Stem short, stout. Leaves 20-30, dark green, linear-lanceolate or ensiform, 100-125 cm x 7-15 cm, margin undulate, gradually tapering towards apex. Flowering stem (scape) erect, nearly as long as leaves, stout, flat, 2-edged, an umbel of 20-70 flowers at apex, spathes bracts 2 (enclosing young flowers), ovate-lanceolate, 6-13 cm x ca. 3.2 cm, membranous; flowers actinomorphic, white, fragrant, bracteate, bracts linear, clavate at apex, pedicellate, pedicels 0.5-2.5 cm long, stout. Perianth salverform; tube greenish white, straight, 7-10 cm x ca. 2 mm; lobes 6, white, linear, 4.5-8 cm x 6-9 mm, revolute, apex acuminate, lobes curved downwards. Stamens 6, inserted on perianth throat; filaments white below, reddish purple above, 4-5.5 cm long; anthers linear, attenuate, 1.8-2 cm long, yellowish-orange, versatile. Carpels 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior, fusiform, ca. 2 cm long, ovary 3-locular, ovules generally 2 per locule, inserted at base; style ca. 13 cm long, slender, upper part reddish/ purple, lower white; stigma small, capitate. Capsule subglobose, 3-5 cm in diameter, prominently beaked, dehiscing irregularly. Seeds 1-5, often 1 per capsule, up to 2.5 cm x 2 cm, oval to subglobose, fleshy, testa corky.

Flowering and Fruiting: Almost throughout the year (August to December)
Common Names: Grand Crinum Lily, Poison Bulb, Giant Crinum Lily, Spider Lily; Naagadamini, Sukhdarshan (Hindi)

All parts of plant poisonous if ingested