Powell's crinum lily

Naming

Common Names: Cape lily, Powell's crinum lily, Swamp lily

Defense

All parts of the crinum lilies are poisonous if ingested and the sap may cause skin eruptions.

Evolution

In the 19th century, English plant breeders crossed two species of South African crinum lilies - Crinum bulbispermum and C. moorei - to create the hybrid Crinum x powellii, or Cape lily. The Cape lily has gone on to become one of the most popular perennials in the southern United States, passed along though generations of gardeners.

Uses

Cape lilies, and other crinum lilies, are usually planted in perennial beds or borders or as stand-alone specimen plants left undisturbed to form large clumps.