Hymenocallis caribaea

Hymenocallis caribaea, commonly known as the Caribbean spider lily, is a striking perennial valued for its ornamental beauty and potential therapeutic properties. Native to tropical regions, this plant features elegant, trumpet-shaped white blooms. Ethnobotanical studies explore its bioactive compounds, highlighting its significance in traditional medicine and botanical research.

  • Scientific name: Hymenocallis caribaea
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, falling under the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hymenocallis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Amaryllidaceae WCVP
Genus Hymenocallis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Hymenocallis caribaea, is referred to by various regional names depending on the language. In Swedish, it is called Karibiska spindellilja, while in Chinese, it is known as 金边水鬼蕉.
Language Common Name Source
sv Karibisk spindellilja Wikidata
zh 金边水鬼蕉 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread and diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Sri Lanka. Its presence extends to the Australian continent, specifically within the state of New South Wales. The plant is also widely distributed throughout the Caribbean, where it inhabits Bermuda, Cuba, and Jamaica. Consequently, this species thrives in both tropical and temperate environments across multiple continents.

Region Area Source
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP
Australia New South Wales WCVP
Caribbean Bermuda WCVP
Caribbean Cuba WCVP
Caribbean Jamaica WCVP
Caribbean Leeward Is. WCVP
Caribbean Venezuelan Antilles WCVP
Caribbean Windward Is. WCVP
Northern South America French Guiana WCVP
Northern South America Guyana WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Hymenocallis caribaea, utilizes its specialized underground bulbs as a primary morphological feature. These bulbs serve as critical storage organs, housing the nutrients and moisture necessary for the plant to survive dormant periods and fuel its growth cycle. In various traditional medicinal practices, these bulbous structures are often the specific parts of interest due to their concentrated chemical properties.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bulbs 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Hymenocallis caribaea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Hymenocallis caribaea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆