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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Crinum bulbispermum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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

C. longifolium. C. capense.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root?? A number of species in this genus have edible bulbs. Although no records have been seen for this species, it is fairly hardy in Britain and the root can be as large as a football. It is worthy of investigation[K].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moist soil or the garden border[90]. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[188]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[90]. It is probable that the plants may require winter protection with dry leaves or bracken[90]. Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and may take several years to establish[200]. After this, they will usually reproduce rapidly from offsets to produce the overcrowded conditions that stimulate them to flower freely[200]. The bulbs should be planted with their necks above soil level[233]. This conflicts with another report which says that they should be planted quite deeply in the soil[1]. Only plant out good sized bulbs and do so at the end of May[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The flowers emit a sweet, somewhat spicy odour which is especially pronounced at nightfall[245].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cardiocrinum cordatum		Bulb	1.8	6-9	LMH	S	M	2	0
Cardiocrinum giganteum		Bulb	1.8	6-9	LMH	S	M	0	1	1
Crinum asiaticum	Asian Poison Bulb	Bulb	1.2	7-10	LMH	N	M	0	1
Crinum flaccidum	Murray Lily	Bulb	0.6	9-11	LM	N	M	2	0
Leucocrinum montanum	Sand Lily, Common starlily	Perennial	0.2	5-9	LMH	N	M	1	1

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.

Crinum bulbispermum - (Burm.f.)Milne-Redh.&Schweick.