Red Spider Lily
ExplorePlants
Red Spider Lily
lycoris radiata
The Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) is a breathtakingly beautiful perennial plant famous for its brilliant crimson blooms that emerge like clockwork in late summer and autumn. Often associated with legends, transitions, and the arrival of autumn in East Asia, this striking wildflower is known for its unique growth cycle where flowers and leaves never meet. The bright red petals burst forth on tall, naked stems, creating a dramatic visual display in gardens, along roadsides, and near temples. Once the flowers fade, the strap-like green leaves finally emerge to gather energy throughout the winter. Highly resilient and rich in cultural symbolism, the Red Spider Lily is both a beloved ornamental plant and a fascinating botanical wonder that thrives with minimal care. Spot a Red Spider Lily? Identify it instantly with the Snappit nature app.
Habitat: Typically found growing in moist, well-drained soils along forest edges, riversides, grassy slopes, and agricultural pathways, particularly near rice paddies in East Asia.
Appearance
This plant is instantly recognizable by its vibrant, coral-red flowers featuring narrow, backward-curving petals and exceptionally long, thread-like stamens that flare outward like spider legs. The blossoms are arranged in a spectacular, umbrella-like cluster at the peak of a smooth, leafless grayish-green stem that grows up to 30 to 60 cm tall. Because the plant blooms before its foliage appears, the flowers stand alone in stark, dramatic contrast against the bare earth or green grasses, while the dark green, ribbon-like leaves only appear after the blooms have completely died back.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAmaryllidaceaeGenusLycoris
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
According to Buddhist legend, these flowers grow along the paths to the afterlife, helping to guide departing souls to reincarnation.
Because the bulbs are poisonous, Japanese farmers historically planted them along the edges of rice paddies to keep moles and mice away.
In Japan, the Red Spider Lily is known as 'Higanbana' (flower of the equinox) and is deeply associated with Buddhist autumn equinox celebrations.
Special abilities
Ability
Hysteranthous Growth Cycle
The plant produces flowers and leaves at entirely different times of the year, preventing them from ever appearing together.
Ability
Toxic Alkaloid Defense
The bulbs contain lycorine, a highly toxic alkaloid that deters underground pests, rodents, and grazing herbivores from eating them.
Ability
Rapid Autumn Spurt
Following late summer rains, the flowering stems shoot up from dormant underground bulbs with astonishing speed, blooming within just a few days.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-60 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-20 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, the Red Spider Lily produces its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil nutrients
Ecological connections
mutualism
Old World Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
Adult swallowtails visit the bright red flowers to feed on nectar, transferring pollen in the process.
mutualism
Chinese Honey Bee
Apis cerana
Gathers nectar from the late-blooming flowers and assists in pollination.
parasite
Narcissus Bulb Fly
Merodon equestris
The larvae of this fly can sometimes parasitize and feed on the toxic bulbs of Lycoris species.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red Spider Lily?
The easiest way to identify Red Spider Lily is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Red Spider Lily?
30-60 cm
How much does Red Spider Lily weigh?
0.1-0.3 kg
How long does Red Spider Lily live?
5-20 years
What does Red Spider Lily eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, the Red Spider Lily produces its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.
Where is Red Spider Lily usually found?
Typically found growing in moist, well-drained soils along forest edges, riversides, grassy slopes, and agricultural pathways, particularly near rice paddies in East Asia.
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