Lycoris radiata has high ornamental value, and its cultivation methods require attention

[Aliases] Cockroach flower, crow garlic.

[Family and genus] Amaryllidaceae, Lycoris.

[Morphology] Perennial herbaceous plant, with thick underground bulbs, broadly oval, covered with a purplish-red membrane. Leaves linear, emerging from the base after the flowering period, 5-6 leaves, leaves emerge in winter and wither in summer. Flower scape emerges from August to September, 30-60 cm tall, bearing 4-12 flowers in a terminal umbel; flowers bright red, the tube very short, about 5-6 mm long, lobes narrowly obovate-lanceolate, curling outward. Ovary inferior, not setting fruit after flowering.

[Origin and distribution] Native to China and Japan, wild in the Yangtze River basin and various provinces in the southwest, cultivated in Shanghai gardens.

[Habits] In nature it is mostly wild in shaded and damp places in mountain forests and along riverbanks, so Lycoris radiata prefers shaded and damp environments. Cold-resistant, it can overwinter outdoors in the Shanghai area. It grows well in well-drained, fertile sandy loam and calcareous loam.

[Propagation] Propagated by bulbs in spring and autumn. Bulbs should not be harvested every year; generally they are dug up and divided and replanted once every 4-5 years.

[Cultivation] This species is simple to cultivate and requires extensive management.

[Uses] In gardens it can be used as groundcover flowers under trees, planted in groups in flower borders, or planted in natural style among rocks. Because it has no leaves when in bloom, it is best paired with other more shade-tolerant herbaceous plants. In addition, it can also be used for potted plants, water culture, cut flowers, etc. The bulbs are toxic, and the powder has the effect of inducing vomiting, resolving phlegm, reducing swelling and relieving pain.