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Cape Flower
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Cape Flower

Lycoris radiata

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameCape Flower
DescriptionDramatic fall-blooming bulb featuring striking spider-like flowers with vivid red, reflexed petals and long, protruding stamens that appear on tall, naked stalks before leaves emerge. Flowers bloom suddenly in late summer, often after heavy rains, creating spectacular displays seemingly overnight—hence names 'Surprise Lily' and 'Magic Lily.' In Japan, called 'Higanbana' (equinox flower) as blooms coincide with autumn equinox, traditionally planted in cemeteries and rice paddies where toxicity deters rodents.
FamilyAmaryllidaceae
GenusLycoris
TribeLycorideae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ P(3+3) A6 G(3)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (perianth, no distinction between sepals and petals), 6 free stamens, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Lycoris' honors Roman actress and mistress of Mark Antony. 'Radiata' means 'rayed' or 'radiating,' describing flower form. 'Higanbana' (彼岸花) means 'flower of the other shore' in Japanese, referencing Buddhist afterlife. 'Spider Lily' describes long, curved, spider-leg-like petals and stamens
  • Flowers 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) across with 6 narrow, wavy, reflexed petals curving backward and 6 long stamens extending 2-3 inches beyond petals. Vivid red is most common; also pink, white, and yellow varieties. 4-7 flowers per umbel atop leafless stalk
  • Bulbous perennial with unique growth cycle: flowers appear on naked stalks in late summer/early fall (August-October), then die back. Strap-like leaves emerge in fall after flowering, remain evergreen through winter, die back in late spring. Blooms often triggered by heavy rainfall
  • Flower stalks grow 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall. Leaves 12-18 inches long. Lifespan of many years from bulbs. Propagated by dividing bulb offsets in late summer after flowering (rarely sets viable seed, most cultivated plants are sterile triploids)
  • Native to China, Japan, Korea, and Nepal. Found wild on shady slopes, stream banks, and moist woodland edges. Widely cultivated in East Asia, naturalized in southern United States (zones 7-10)
  • Prefers partial shade to full sun with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight. Thrives in moist, well-drained soil during growing season. Tolerates summer drought when dormant. Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in late summer. Hardy zones 7-10
  • All parts highly toxic, especially bulbs containing lycorine and other alkaloids—causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions if ingested. Planted around rice fields to deter rodents. Attracts butterflies. Deer resistant. Important in Japanese culture and Buddhist traditions. Used medicinally in small doses (professional use only)

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificLycoris radiata
English (Alternate)Japanese spider lily,Japanese cape flower, Cape Marigold, Red spider lily, Red magic lily, Surprise lily, Higanbana, Manjushage
Hindiसुदर्शन (Sudarshan), नागदमन (Nagdaman), नागदामिनी (Nagdamini), सुखदर्शन (Sukhdarshan)
Tamilசெங்காந்தள் மலர் (Sengkandhal Malar), காளிப் பூ (Kaalip poo)
Teluguకంటిపూల (Kanti poola)
Malayalamസ്പൈഡർ ലില്ലി (Spider Lily), ചുവന്ന സ്പൈഡർ ലില്ലി (Chuvanna Spider Lily)
Kannadaಕಟ್ಟೆ ಹೂವು (Katte Hoovu), ಹೈಮೆನೊಕಾಲ್ಲಿಸ್ (Hymenocallis)
Sanskritमञ्जुसक (Mañjusaka) , मञ्जुषगे (manjushage)
Bengaliসুদর্শন (Shudorshon), নাগদামিনী (Nagdamini), স্পাইডার লিলি (Spider Lily), সুখদর্শন (Sukhdarshan)
Frenchfleur de Lycoris radiata, Lycoris radiata
Russianлилия паук (liliya pauuk), ликорис лучистый (likoris luchistyy)
Spanishlirio araña rojo
GermanSpinnenlilie, Rosarote Spinnenlilie, Büschelamaryllis

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.