Kyushu blood-red spider lily (Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana)

Kyushu orange spider lily Kiusiana spider lily
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana: Kyushu Orange Spider Lily

Hailing from the moist valleys and forested slopes of Kyushu, Japan, Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana produces fiery orange-red flowers in mid-to-late summer. Classified within the Amaryllidaceae family, this deciduous bulbous perennial is highly adapted to temperate woodland habitats. Its sudden emergence in summer adds a bright splash of color to the understory prior to the growth of its winter foliage.

As a wild variety, it thrives in undisturbed, dappled shade where the soil remains rich and organic. Its distinct botanical characteristics make it a noteworthy taxon among East Asian flora.

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 var. kiusiana (Kyushu blood-red spider lily)

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Morphology

The subterranean bulb of Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana is globose to ovoid, protected by dark brown tunics. Its flowering scape rises to a height of 30 to 50 centimeters. The inflorescence is a terminal umbel containing 3 to 6 trumpet-shaped flowers.

The flowers of this variety are generally larger than the typical species, displaying a rich brick-red or orange-red coloration. The tepals are lanceolate and lack the strongly reflexed margins seen in some other species. The stamens are roughly equal in length to the tepals, making them less prominent than those of Lycoris radiata.

Linear, light green leaves emerge in the early spring, photosynthesize throughout the cooler months, and completely die back before the summer blooms appear. This leaves the plant completely dormant during the early summer before its dramatic flowering phase.

Flowering season

July to August

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Applications

In natural gardens, Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana is utilized for soil stabilization and understory ground cover in shaded areas. Its bright flowers are highly decorative in late summer borders. The plants are ideal for low-maintenance landscaping where minimal human intervention is preferred.

The high alkaloid content in the bulb prevents damage from rodents and browsing deer. This characteristic makes it a suitable boundary plant for rural properties.

Interesting facts

The variety was formally described by Japanese botanist Tomitaro Makino and later validated by Tetsuo Koyama in 1959. The epithet kiusiana references the island of Kyushu, where the plant is native. It is commonly associated with fox folklore in Japan, where orange spider lilies are known as fox's razors.

  • Its synonym Lycoris kiushiana is considered a nom. inval. (invalid name) under botanical nomenclature rules.
  • The flowers appear suddenly from bare ground, leading to its popular associations with magic and mystery.

Geography of distribution

  • Japan

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO): Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana
  • World Flora Online (WFO): Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana
  • GBIF Secretariat: Lycoris sanguinea var. kiusiana

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF

See also

True Araucarias

True Araucarias

Araucaria sect. Araucaria

Araucaria sect. Araucaria is a botanical section of evergreen conifers native to South America. It …

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