hurricane lilies (Lycoris) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Hurricane lilies are Asian plants grown from bulbs in U.S. gardens, with red, pink, and yellow flowers from midsummer into fall. Their flowers rise on leafless stalks, sometimes after late-summer rain in the South. The bulbs contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten.

In this group

red spider lilyLycoris radiata

This is the most common hurricane lily in Florida; it has red flowers with very long stamens and foliage that follows the bloom.

surprise lilyLycoris squamigera

This cold-hardy species has spring foliage and then sends up 2 ft (60 cm) stalks with pale-pink flowers in late summer.

golden spider lilyLycoris aurea

This warm-region garden species has yellow-orange flowers in late summer to early fall and is grown in the Southeast.

Appearance

Growth form: These are that slowly form clumps through .
Leaves: Red spider lily grows leaves in fall and winter, while surprise lily produces spring leaves that disappear before its pink flowers emerge.
Flowers: Red spider lily has narrow red petals and long whisker-like pollen-bearing parts. Surprise lily has broader pale-pink trumpet flowers, and golden spider lily has yellow-orange flowers.
How to recognize it: A smooth, leafless stalk rises from a bulb and ends in a cluster of six-parted flowers. The leaves are strap-shaped but usually grow in a different season from the flowers.

Look-alikes

white spider liliesHymenocallis

In Florida, a white spider lily (Hymenocallis latifolia) has white flowers and green leaves during bloom. Red spider lily (Lycoris radiata) has red flowers on a bare stalk, with leaves appearing later.

Why they get mixed upBoth are amaryllis-family bulbs called “spider lily.”

Guernsey liliesNerine

A pink Guernsey lily (Nerine bowdenii) may still have fading leaves when its flower stalk rises. Surprise lily (Lycoris squamigera) has lost its spring leaves before flowering; flower-only photos can be hard to separate.

Why they get mixed upBoth have pink flowers on tall, nearly bare stalks in late season.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: garden beds and lawns
old home sites
light woodland edges
Range: Lycoris is native to parts of Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. In the United States it is cultivated, and some species persist at old home sites in the Southeast.
Preferred conditions: Most garden species prefer well-drained soil and sun to light shade. Timing differs by species, and recently divided bulbs may skip flowering for a year or more.

Growing it

Propagation: Garden clumps are usually increased by dividing bulb offsets. Some species and hybrids set little or no viable seed.
Toxicity: Lycoris bulbs contain toxic , including lycorine, and should not be eaten. Keep dug bulbs away from children and pets.

Name and classification

About the name: Some plants in this group are also called “surprise lilies” or “naked lilies.”
Group name: In the southern United States, “hurricane lily” often refers to late-summer Lycoris, while “surprise lily” and “resurrection lily” also refer to particular species or other genera.

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The name “hurricane lily” comes from the southern bloom season, when flowers often appear after heavy late-summer rain.
Old clumps around former homes can survive for decades and are often shared as passalong plants.

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