spider lily
spider lily Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of various bulbous plants of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to the Americas, Asia, and Africa, characterized by striking, often fragrant flowers with long, narrow petals and prominent stamens that resemble a spider's legs.
"The red spider lily, native to East Asia, is often associated with autumn transitions and final goodbyes in traditional folklore."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'spider lily' is a common name applied to several distinct genera of bulbous plants within the amaryllis family, most notably Lycoris, Hymenocallis, and Crinum, which all share the visual characteristic of long, spidery petals or stamens.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in English due to the visual resemblance of the flowers' notably long, narrow petals and prominent stamens to the legs of a spider.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.