Hymenocallis coronaria
Encyclopedia
Hymenocallis coronaria is a species
of the genus Hymenocallis
, native to the Southeastern United States
. It is an aquatic
, perennial flowering plant
found only in Alabama
, Georgia
, and South Carolina
. Within Alabama it is known as the Cahaba Lily, outside of that state it is known as the Shoals spider-lily because it requires a swift, shallow, water current and direct sunlight to flourish. The plant grows to about 3 foot (0.9144 m) tall and develops from a bulb that lodges in between rocks in the shoal
s. It blooms from early May to late June. Each fragrant flower blooms for one day.
The plant was first scientifically described in 1783 by William Bartram
, as the “odoriferous Pancratium fluitans which almost alone possesses the little rocky islets”. Hymenocallis coronaria is under consideration for federal protection
due to entire populations being wiped out by dam construction.
Two of the largest remaining stand
s of this plant in the world are located at Landsford Canal State Park
on the Catawba River
in Chester County, South Carolina
and the Hargrove Shoals within the boundaries of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
near West Blocton, Alabama
. In May 1990 West Blocton began holding an annual "Cahaba Lily Festival" at which it crowns a "Cahaba Lily Queen".
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of the genus Hymenocallis
Hymenocallis
Hymenocallis is a genus of plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It contains more than 60 species native to tropical and subtropical America. Hymenocallis are bulbous perennial herbs. The flowers have their stamens united to a characteristic corona...
, native to the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
. It is an aquatic
Aquatic ecosystem
An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem in a body of water. Communities of organisms that are dependent on each other and on their environment live in aquatic ecosystems. The two main types of aquatic ecosystems are marine ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems....
, perennial flowering plant
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
found only in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Within Alabama it is known as the Cahaba Lily, outside of that state it is known as the Shoals spider-lily because it requires a swift, shallow, water current and direct sunlight to flourish. The plant grows to about 3 foot (0.9144 m) tall and develops from a bulb that lodges in between rocks in the shoal
Shoal
Shoal, shoals or shoaling may mean:* Shoal, a sandbank or reef creating shallow water, especially where it forms a hazard to shipping* Shoal draught , of a boat with shallow draught which can pass over some shoals: see Draft...
s. It blooms from early May to late June. Each fragrant flower blooms for one day.
The plant was first scientifically described in 1783 by William Bartram
William Bartram
William Bartram was an American naturalist. The son of Ann and John Bartram, William Bartram and his twin sister Elizabeth were born in Kingsessing, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. As a boy, he accompanied his father on many of his travels, to the Catskill Mountains, the New Jersey Pine Barrens,...
, as the “odoriferous Pancratium fluitans which almost alone possesses the little rocky islets”. Hymenocallis coronaria is under consideration for federal protection
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
due to entire populations being wiped out by dam construction.
Two of the largest remaining stand
Stand
Stand may refer to:*Stand, Greater Manchester, a residential area in the Metropolitan Borough of Manchester, England*A partnership in cricket*STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition...
s of this plant in the world are located at Landsford Canal State Park
Landsford Canal State Park
Landsford Canal State Park is a South Carolina state park located in Chester County, two miles from US 21. The park contains the ruins of the Landsford Canal built to bypass rapids on the Catawba River using slave labor between 1820 and 1825. The coming of the railroad caused the canal to be...
on the Catawba River
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
in Chester County, South Carolina
Chester County, South Carolina
Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 34,068; in 2005 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had dropped to 33,228. Its county seat is Chester.-Geography and climate:...
and the Hargrove Shoals within the boundaries of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,577 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in central Alabama, along the Cahaba River downstream from Birmingham, Alabama. The refuge was established on September 25, 2002. Additional purchases were approved that will potentially increase the size of...
near West Blocton, Alabama
West Blocton, Alabama
West Blocton is a town in Bibb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,372.- Geography :West Blocton is located at ....
. In May 1990 West Blocton began holding an annual "Cahaba Lily Festival" at which it crowns a "Cahaba Lily Queen".