Straw-colored Spider Lily (Lycoris straminea)

straw spider lily
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Lycoris straminea - Straw Spider Lily Botanical Profile

Featuring pale yellow, straw-colored blooms, Lycoris straminea stands out as a unique natural hybrid in the Amaryllidaceae family. This bulbous perennial is native to shady hillsides in East Asia, where it grows in moist, organic-rich soils.

The plant is highly regarded by botanists studying hybridization and polyploidy in the genus Lycoris. Its distinctive pastel coloration adds a subtle elegance to its native woodlands.

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 straminea (Straw-colored Spider Lily)

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Morphology

The subterranean bulb of Lycoris straminea gives rise to linear, glaucous leaves that emerge in autumn and wither by early summer. In late summer, a single, erect scape emerges, bearing a terminal umbel of five to ten straw-yellow flowers.

The tepals are characterized by strongly undulate margins and are distinctly reflexed, exposing long, curved stamens. Its fruit is a subglobose capsule containing dark, rounded seeds.

Flowering season

Late summer

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Applications

Researchers utilize this natural hybrid to study genetic inheritance and chromosomal variations in East Asian bulbous plants. The species also serves as a source of alkaloids, which are investigated for their potential medicinal applications.

It is occasionally cultivated in botanical gardens to support biodiversity conservation programs.

Interesting facts

This taxon is recognized as a natural hybrid between Lycoris chinensis and Lycoris radiata. Its scientific name, straminea, is derived from the Latin word for straw, referencing the pale yellow color of its blossoms.

Like other members of its genus, it exhibits a 'surprise' growth habit, sending up flower stalks long after its leaves have completely died back.

Geography of distribution

  • Zhejiang
  • Jiangsu
  • Japan

Sources

  • POWO: Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
  • WFO: World Flora Online
  • Tropicos: Missouri Botanical Garden
  • GBIF: Global Biodiversity Information Facility

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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