Cayman Islands spider-lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cayman Islands spider-lily
• broadleaf spider-lily
• chrysolite-lily
• mangrove spider-lily
• Mangrove Spiderlily
• perfumed spiderlily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pancratium latifolium
• Chrysiphiala latifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae and specifically within the genus Hymenocallis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several tropical and subtropical regions. In the Southeastern United States, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Florida. The species also extends throughout the Caribbean, where it can be found in the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Additionally, it is established within the larger island nations of the Caribbean, including Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Consequently, its range covers a diverse array of island and coastal environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hymenocallis latifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions biologically as a geophyte, a strategy that enables it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions by storing nutrients and moisture in specialized underground organs. This growth habit is further categorized under the broader classification of a cryptophyte, ensuring its survival through the protection of its vital parts beneath the soil surface.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hymenocallis latifolia is characterized by a growth form consisting of a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. In terms of its structural support, it is a self-supporting species, lacking the characteristics of a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hymenocallis latifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine.

7-Deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Hymenocallis latifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products