The fragrant
lily-like flowers are rose-lilac or pink and are
3-4 inches long. They are borne in a
4-12 flowered umbel atop a leafless flower scape.
The white filaments and yellow anthers are conspicuous.
Mid to late summer
The 1 inch wide
basal leaves are linear to
strap-shaped and 15 inches long. The leaves are
produced in the spring and die back to the
ground by early summer. This is similar to the
foliage character of Colchicum autumnale.
Lycoris is named
for a
Roman beauty, the mistress of Mark Antony. The
disappearance of the leaves and then
reappearance of the flowers in the fall is the
intriguing aspect of this plant.
