On my recent trip to Florida, I was able to photograph several String Lilies (crinum americanum). Known also as Swamp Lilies or Seven Sisters, the string lilies were one of the wildflowers I was really looking for and hoped to photograph. On previous trips to Florida, I’d never found one in good enough shape to photograph.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
String lilies are native to much of the Southeastern United States. Found from South Carolina to Texas, these wonderful flowers are listed alternately as members of the lily and amaryllis family. There really doesn’t seem to be any consensus as to which family they belong.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
The plants grow 3-4 feet tall in swamps and marshes. The wide green leaves grow directly out of the bulb. At the top of the stem, between two and six flowers blossom. The flowers have 6 white petal and six stamens that are white and purple.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
The bulbs and leaves of String Lilies are poisonous to humans and should not be eaten. They are however the favorite food of Lubber grasshoppers. Sphinx moths pollinate the String Lilies.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
I photographed the String Lilies in several locations in south Florida – Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. While speaking with a park ranger at Fakahatchee Strand, I learned the String Lilies are one of the first wildflowers to grow back after a marsh is burned by fire. The String Lily I photographed at Fakahatchee Strand was in an area that had burned about 30 days prior to my visit.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
If you’d like more information about String Lilies, you can find information at these websites:
Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database
NC State University Plant Fact Sheets