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With such a pleasing contrast of delicate white petals and the slender green stems of the stamens the flowers are exceedingly attractive and passes a pleasant scent. This yellow portion of the stamens is the pollen. The stalks of the stamen and that of the pistil are green with a blotch of yellow at the end. From the centre of the disc comes the pistil of the flower, also in an upright position, slightly taller than to stamens.

These stamens, six in number, are long narrow structures standing upright about four inches high. In the centre of the flower is a little cup-like disc from which the stamens arise. There are six narrow petals, hanging downwards, forming a semicircle. The tube of the individual flower is about five inches long, pale green in colour gradually fading to white at the place where the petals unfold. From three to ten separate flowers appear on each stem. The conspicuous white flowers are borne on stems about thirty inches long. It was originally introduced from the West Indies. Although not a native species it has become naturalised in Bermuda. This plant is seen at its best during July and early August, growing along the roadsides, on the coastal banks, and in practically every home garden. Botanically, the plant is known as Hymenocallis declinata. However, the flowers of the above plant (which is not a true lily) certainly resemble those of a lily, while their form conveys the impression of a huge white spider sitting on the end of a flower stalk.

The term ‘lily’ is frequently and often erroneously applied to a plant with a bulbous rootstock and white flowers, and sometimes the plant in question has no relationship whatever to the lily family. It is easy to see how the name “Spider” lily became attached to this plant. This article was taken from our archives and appears here exactly as it did in March 1952.

A single plant can have a flowering period that lasts between four to five weeks. This plant family is known for its ability to withstand salty, wet environments without comprising its striking blossoms. Did you know the spider lily is not a true lily at all? It belongs to a genus called Crinum.