Crinum species

It is impossible to know how many species of Crinum exist.  It is impossible for several reasons: 

• 1) confusion in the scientific literature over the past 200 years,
• 2) incomplete descriptions of Crinum species in the wild,
• 3) duplicate names,
• 4) lumping of some species together into a single species. 

Probably there are other reasons as well for the confusion.  The matter of Crinum names was addressed once, and probably will need new treatment as more information becomes available.  Some authors have addressed the problem in certain contexts (e.g., Lehmiller, D. J. 1997. Synopsis of the genus Crinum (Amaryllidaceae) in Namibia. Herbertia 52: 44-65.). 

However, botanists, scientists, and enthusiasts have seen a revival in the genus in recent years and the World Wide Web has made some information more easily available.  It is clear that many species are generally unsuitable for outdoor culture in East Texas.  They require warmer conditions or drier conditions, or perhaps both.  Like many bulbs, some Crinum species are adapted to periods of dormancy, and some of them require such periods to grow well and flower.  Moreover, it seems likely that the xeric Crinum species might suffer from disease problems in East Texas where their roots might never have a chance to dry. 

The list below contains 56 purported Crinum species; the names were gleaned from the WWW and from various publications.  Most are African species, but some are Asian, Australian, or from the Americas.  One online estimate suggests there are between 60 and 100 species of Crinum.  Readers of this page are encouraged to submit comments, perhaps to remove a name from the list or to add a name.  Citation of original publications will be especially helpful.