Cardwell lily facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cardwell lily Northern Christmas lily
Proiphys amboinensis in Cooktown Queensland
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Amaryllis rotundifolia Lam. Cearia amboinensis (L.) Dumort. Cepa amboinensis (L.) Kuntze Crinum nervosum L'Hér. Eurycles alata Sweet Eurycles amboinensis (L.) Lindl. ex Loudon Eurycles australasica (Ker Gawl.) G.Don Eurycles coronata Sweet Eurycles javanica M.Roem. Eurycles nervosa G.Don Eurycles nuda Sweet Eurycles rotundifolia M.Roem. Pancratium amboinense L. Pancratium australasicum Ker Gawl. Pancratium nervifolium Salisb. Pancratium ovatifolium Stokes Stemonix nervosus (L'Hér.) Raf.

The Cardwell lily, also known as the northern Christmas lily, is a beautiful plant. Its scientific name is Proiphys amboinensis. This name comes from Ambon Island in Indonesia. People often call it the northern Christmas lily because its flowers usually bloom around Christmas time.

This plant grows naturally in many places. These include Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and parts of Australia. It is found in Queensland and Western Australia. The Cardwell lily has also spread to other islands. These include the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Solomon Islands.

What Does the Cardwell Lily Look Like?

The Cardwell lily has large, almost round leaves. These leaves can grow to be over 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. Their stems can be up to 46 centimeters (18 inches) long.

Flowers and Seeds

After the leaves appear, the plant produces lovely white flowers. These flowers have a sweet smell and a yellow center. Each flower is about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide. Up to 18 flowers can grow together in a cluster. These flower clusters grow on stalks that are over 50 centimeters (20 inches) long.

The Cardwell lily usually starts to flower in late December. After flowering, it makes green to blackish seed pods. These pods are about 25–30 millimeters (1–1.2 inches) across. During the dry season, the plant's leaves will die back.

How to Grow Cardwell Lilies

The Cardwell lily grows best in open, lightly shaded rainforest areas. It grows very quickly once the wet season begins. This plant likes a spot that is mostly shaded.

Care Tips

It is a good plant to grow in a pot. It needs a lot of water when it is actively growing. You can grow new plants from seeds. You can also lift and replant its bulb.

Images for kids

• 

  A close-up of the Cardwell Lily flower.