(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
While I was photographing in Florida earlier this year, I was amazed to find two alligator lilies (hymenocallis palmeri) in full bloom at the Kirby Storter area in the Big Cypress National Preserve. From everything I had read, I thought I’d be too early in the year for the alligator lilies. I’d spoken with a couple of park rangers and they confirmed that the alligator lilies wouldn’t be blooming for another few weeks. So you can just imagine how happy I was to find not one but two wonderful alligator lilies to photograph.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
There appears to be a difference of opinion as to what family the Alligator lilies belong to – some sources list them as members of the Lily family – others list them as members of the Amaryllis family. The USDA plant profile database does list them as members of the Lily family. They are native to the southeastern parts of the United States – found in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, growing in cypress swamps, prairies and pine flatwoods. The two I found were growing in a prairie area.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Once you’ve seen an Alligator Lily – they are easy to identify. They have a white flower with jagged edges, several long bright yellow and white stamens, and long thin green leaves. Alligator lilies should not be eaten – some sources report them as poisonous to humans.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
If you’d like more information about Alligator Lilies – you can find additional info at the following online sites