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Summary
Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Lycoris radiata is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf from September to July, in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
South Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:
Bulb - cooked. It is used as a source of starch[105, 177, 179]. The bulb is 2.5 to 3.5cm in diameter[200]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cancer Emetic Expectorant Poultice
The root is used in the treatment of swellings, ulcers and the nervous afflictions of children[218]. The bulb is emetic and expectorant[61, 174, 218], a decoction is used to counteract poison[218] and is also applied to ulcers and swellings[178, 218]. The bulb can be made into a plaster and is then applied to burns and scalds[240]. The plant is said to have anticancer properties[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Container, Specimen. Requires a deep well-drained sandy soil rich in organic matter in full sun[200]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[200]. Other reports say that the bulb tolerates soil temperatures down to about -5°c[214, 260]. This is a difficult plant to grow outdoors in temperate areas, the plant comes into growth in late summer, flowers in the autumn and the leaves then persist until the following summer when the plant will have a short period of dormancy. These leaves can be killed by hard frosts and, should this happen often, the bulb will be weakened and killed[200, 260]. Plants therefore require a sheltered position to avoid damage to the growing leaves in the winter[200]. Plants need a warm period in late summer in order to ripen the bulbs and induce flowering in the following year[188]. Plants are attractive to slugs and need to be protected from them[200]. Very sensitive to root disturbance, the bulbs can take some years to become well established[200]. This plant is superficially similar to Nerine sarnensis and is often confused with that species[200]. Special Features:
Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse and should germinate in the spring[200]. Sow the seed thinly so that it does not need to be disturbed for its first year of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed during the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs when the plants become dormant, placing 2 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another 2 years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant. Division of offsets in the dormant season[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L'Hér.)Herb.
Botanical References
58200
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