Guangxi Spider Lily (Lycoris guangxiensis)

Guangxi shi suan
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Lycoris guangxiensis: Botanical Guide and Characteristics

Native to the shaded mountain slopes of southern China, Lycoris guangxiensis remains an intriguing subject for botanists studying the family Amaryllidaceae.

This wild bulbous perennial belongs to the genus Lycoris and is localized primarily within the Guangxi region. Its striking autumn-blooming flowers and specialized growth cycle distinguish it from other members of the spider lily family.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ monocots
  • ∟ order Asparagales
  • ∟ family Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis family)
  • ∟ subfamily Amaryllidoideae
  • ∟ tribe Lycorideae
  • ∟ genus Lycoris (Spider Lily)
  • ∟ species Lycoris guangxiensis (Guangxi Spider Lily)

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Morphology

Bulbs of Lycoris guangxiensis are subglobose, typically measuring a few centimeters in diameter, and covered with dark brown, papery tunics.

Leaves emerge in autumn after the flowering period has ended. They are linear or ligulate, dark green, and often feature a prominent pale midvein running along the center.

The inflorescence is an umbel carried atop a solid scape, bearing multiple pale yellow flowers. These tepals are characterized by moderately undulate margins and a reflexed shape typical of the genus.

Flowering season

Late summer to early autumn

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Applications

Wild species of Lycoris are rich in alkaloids, making them significant in pharmacological research.

The plant contains compounds such as lycorine, which are studied for their potential medicinal applications.

It is not used in traditional gardening due to its rarity and lack of commercial cultivation.

Interesting facts

Several unique ecological aspects define this rare species:

  • The species epithet guangxiensis directly refers to Guangxi, the Chinese province to which this plant is endemic.
  • Unlike many common garden spider lilies, this species has not been widely introduced into artificial cultivation and survives primarily in its native microhabitats.
  • Its flowers appear suddenly in late summer or early autumn before the foliage develops, a phenomenon shared with other "naked lily" species.

Geography of distribution

  • Guangxi, China

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Tropicos (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also

Orange Spider Lily

Orange Spider Lily

Lycoris sanguinea

An orange-flowered deciduous perennial native to East Asia, famous for its toxic bulbs and synchronized …

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