Peppermint Spider Lily (Lycoris incarnata)

Peppermint lily Xiang shi suan
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Lycoris incarnata: Peppermint Spider Lily Profile

Discovered in the moist mountain valleys of Hubei and Yunnan provinces, Lycoris incarnata captivates observers with its fragrant, peppermint-striped flowers.

This plant is a naturally occurring hybrid, believed to have originated from a cross involving Lycoris sprengeri. It belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae and is noted for being entirely sterile.

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 incarnata (Peppermint Spider Lily)

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Morphology

The bulbs are ovoid to subglobose, reaching about 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter.

Leaves are linear, strap-like, and appear in early spring, dying back completely before the mid-summer heat.

The flowering stems produce clusters of 4 to 6 funnel-shaped, pale pink or white flowers. Each tepal features a distinct rose-red or purple stripe running down the center, and the petals are slightly reflexed with wavy margins.

Flowering season

Mid to late summer

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Applications

The plant is grown as an ornamental specialty in botanical gardens and collector collections due to its distinct coloration.

Its bulbs contain various alkaloids, typical of the family Amaryllidaceae, which are analyzed for potential medicinal properties.

Interesting facts

As a sterile hybrid, this plant possesses several interesting biological attributes:

  • Since all known specimens of this hybrid are sterile, propagation relies entirely on bulb division.
  • The common name peppermint spider lily refers to the clean white and pink striped patterns of the flowers.
  • It was first formally described by Comes and Sprenger in 1906, highlighting its long-standing recognition as a unique hybrid.

Geography of distribution

  • Hubei, China
  • Yunnan, China

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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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