Crinum moorei

A summer-growing bulbous plant.

Crinum moorei is widespread in the coastal forests of the east coast of South Africa, from the northern Eastern Cape south to northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Crinum moorei has a fairly large bulb (up to 20 cm in diameter) located just below the soil surface, from which long, fleshy roots branch out. A 20-30 cm long pseudostem (or neck) arises from the bulb, formed by the close-packed petioles of the leaves. The long, flat, dark green, glossy leaves (up to 1 m long and about 20 cm wide) emerge in a rosette from the tip of the pseudostem. In summer, the flower stalk appears, up to 1.2 m long, bearing 5-10 large, bell-shaped, light pink, very showy flowers at the apex.

It requires a shaded or partial shade location and loose, humus-rich soil, but can also adapt to clayey soils. In summer, at the height of the growing season, it requires frequent and abundant watering. In winter, however, it can remain drier.

The species is not very hardy and therefore requires protection from frost.

Bare-root plant.