Crinum moorei Hook. f.
Natal lily, Moore's crinum · boslelie, Natallelie (Afr.)
Forest lily with tall stems of large white to pink trumpets in summer; needs dappled shade.
What’s in the name: Crinum: from the Greek word for lily; moorei: honours David Moore of Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
“And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
— Matthew 6:29 (KJV), The King James Version of the Bible (Project Gutenberg)
Available from AVNPlants: see the availability list.
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Conservation status
Vulnerable A4de, SANBI Red List of South African Plants
Natural distribution & habitat
Eastern coastal forest from the Port St Johns area to northern KwaZulu-Natal (Mtunzini).
Size & form
Very large bulb (to 200 mm) with a neck rising 200–300 mm above ground. Broad dark green leaves reaching about 1 m; flower stalk 1.2 m or more with 5–10 open, white to pale pink flowers.
Flowering
Summer; timing differs by form (roughly September to January).
Uses in landscaping
- Shade gardens and woodland planting under trees
Care notes
Grow in dappled or light broken shade – full sun scorches the leaves and flowers. Protect from frost. Sow the large seeds fresh, as they do not store. Amaryllis caterpillar and mole rats can cause damage.
Wildlife value
Scent is stronger at night, suggesting moth pollination.
Find out more
Facts checked against: SANBI PlantZAfrica species page 'Crinum moorei'; SANBI Red List of South African Plants, Crinum moorei Hook.f. (assessment 2022/07/21).