Kyushu orange spider lily (Lycoris sanguinea kiushiana)

Kyushu spider lily Kyushu surprise lily

Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Lycoris sanguinea kiushiana - Kyushu Spider Lily

Inhabiting the mountain slopes and forest edges of southern Japan, Lycoris sanguinea kiushiana is a striking geophyte.

This variety is named after Kyushu island, which serves as its primary native habitat.

It stands out from the typical variety due to its larger floral size and prominent reproductive structures. Like its relatives, it exhibits a hysteranthous growth cycle where leaves and flowers never appear together.

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 sanguinea (Orange Spider Lily)
∟ variety Lycoris sanguinea kiushiana (Kyushu orange spider lily)

Morphology

This bulbous perennial produces dark green, strap-shaped leaves in early spring that wither before the heat of summer. The flowering stems emerge rapidly in late July or August.

The flowers are arranged in a terminal umbel on a sturdy, hollow scape. They exhibit a bright orange to brick-red coloration.

Flower Size: Distinctly larger than the nominate variety, with tepals measuring up to 6 centimeters in length.
Stamens: Long and prominently exerted, extending beyond the tips of the recurved tepals.
Bulb: Globose, tunicated bulb containing toxic alkaloids that protect it from herbivores.

Flowering season

Mid to late summer, primarily blooming from July to August.

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Applications

This variety holds ecological importance in its native woodland habitats by attracting various late-summer pollinators. Its large, bright flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies.

It is valued in botanical gardens and specialized collections for its distinct morphology and historical significance in Japanese botany.

Interesting facts

The prominent, protruding stamens are the primary feature used by botanists to distinguish this variety from the typical Lycoris sanguinea.

Local legends in Kyushu associate the sudden appearance of these bright orange flowers with autumn transitions and seasonal folklore.

Geography of distribution

Japan

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO): Hosted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
World Flora Online (WFO): An online database of global plant diversity.
Tropicos: Botanical database maintained by the Missouri Botanical Garden.