Marcelle's Crinums

Crinum americanum robustum

Crinum americanum

C. americanum is a widespread species along the Gulf Coast of the United states; some forms are taller, some shorter, some are more floriferous, and some are from far inland locations (but almost always near water).  C. americanum robustum is a strong grower, with a red or purple scape, that sends out stolons up to six feet long.  In a flower bed next to an irrigated lawn, C. americanum robustum may send out offsets many feet away. 

Scott Ogden identifies C. americanum robustum as a type of C. erubescens, which in turn he identifies as a plant very similar to C. americanum (Garden Bulbs for the South, Taylor Publishing, 1994). 

Marcelle Sheppard used the C. americanum robustum clone pictured here as a parent in some crosses.  The progeny are healthy and vigorous, and sometimes fertile.  For Marcelle, C. americanum robustum is a larger plant than regular C. americanum and it also has a burgundy scape (not green as in typical C. americanum).

Typical beaked fruits of C. americanum robustum.

These are typical beaked fruits of C. americanum robustum in Marcelle's garden.  Each beaked fruit might have 1 or more seeds.