This beautiful white flowering plant is known as the Carolina Spiderlily (Hymenocallis caroliniana hy-men-oh-KAL-is kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh), a member of the Amaryllis family and native to much of the southeastern US moving into southern Missouri and Indiana to the north. The Carolina Spiderlily is found growing in moist, bottomland environments where rich, moist, organic soil is prevalent under the canopy of deciduous trees. The large bulbs send out several thick, strap-like leaves in spring growing about eighteen inches tall and wide. Usually in May, a tall leafless stem grows out of the center of the bulb with two to six flower buds at the terminal. As these buds open they reveal a most beautiful and unusual flower style. The flowers are pure white and consist of two distinct parts – the outer six petals (or perianth) are narrow and strap shaped while the inner petals (or corona) is a solid cup with the individual stamens (male flower parts) fused to the corona and the pistil (female flower part) arising directly from the center. It is this outer ring of petals and the separated stamens that give the flower a “spidery” look. The brilliant white flowers really stand out in a shady woodland setting and are very showy for several weeks. Unlike other bulbs like daffodils, the foliage will persist through the summer if there is adequate moisture available. During years of severe drought, Carolina Spiderlily may go dormant in late summer only to re-emerge the following spring.  Carolina Spiderlily can be grown from seed or by dividing the large bulbs. Seeds form at the end of the terminal flower scape and can be collected when they are green. If you wait too long they will drop to the ground and hide under the leaf litter or mulch. Another option is to dig up and divide the bulb – I would not do this unless it has been in the ground for several years.  I love these woodland bulbs and they should be grown more often by gardeners, especially those interested in native plants. In Alabama we have another member of the Hymenocallis genus that is pretty unique and spectacular. The Cahaba Lily (H. coronaria) is an aquatic bulb that grows in the shoals of swift flowing rivers and streams. It has a very particular growing environment where it must have fast moving water over rocks with plenty of sun (unlike the Carolina Spiderlily).      Written by Harvey Cotten c/o The Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave; Hsv, AL 35805.