Crinum pedunculatum
mangrove lily
Coastal eastern Australia, New Guinea, western Pacific
Overview
Crinum pedunculatum is an evergreen bulbous perennial forming a large clump 3-7 feet (1-2 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide from a thick fleshy bulb. The leaves are strap-shaped, bright green, and fleshy, 24-39 inches (60-100 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide, with a channelled upper surface and arching tips. White flowers with six narrow petals and protruding stamens are carried in umbels of 10-30 on a stout flattened stalk 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) long, mainly in summer. The flowers are fragrant at night and are followed by rounded fleshy green seed capsules 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across that float on water. Growth is moderate, and clumps spread slowly by offsets. The bulb and leaves contain alkaloids that cause nausea and vomiting if eaten. Leaf tips brown in cold or dry conditions, and frost damages the foliage below about 28°F (-2°C).
Native Range
Native to coastal eastern Australia, from northern New South Wales through Queensland, and to parts of New Guinea and the western Pacific. Grows along estuaries, mangrove margins, swamp edges, and stream banks, tolerating brackish water and periodic flooding.Suggested Uses
Planted beside ponds, in rain gardens, and in coastal and brackish-soil gardens, spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart. Grown in large containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L) with steady moisture. The eventual size and clump weight limit use in small beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 7'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly through summer, with scattered umbels into autumn in warm climates. Each umbel opens over 1-2 weeks, and a clump can produce several flowering stalks across a 6-8 week season. Flowering is reduced in shade and in cold-winter areas.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soils, including poorly drained and brackish sites that most plants cannot tolerate. Water regularly in cultivation; established clumps also tolerate short dry spells but flower less. The plant is frost-tender, and foliage is damaged below about 28°F (-2°C), reshooting from the bulb in spring where the bulb is protected. Caterpillars of the lily borer can strip leaves in summer. Clumps grow large over time and are heavy to move once established.Pruning
Cut off damaged or frost-burnt leaves at the base in spring to clean up the clump. Spent flower stalks are removed after the capsules drop. Large clumps are divided by separating offsets in spring.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons