Hymenocallis puntagordensis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hymenocallis puntagordensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Amaryllidoideae
Genus:	Hymenocallis
Species:	H. puntagordensis
Binomial name
Hymenocallis puntagordensis Traub
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Synonyms
Hymenocallis latifolia var. puntagordensis (Traub) D. B. Ward

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The Hymenocallis puntagordensis is a special plant often called the smallcup spiderlily or Punta Gorda spiderlily. It belongs to the lily family. This plant is very rare and grows naturally only in a small area around Punta Gorda, in Charlotte County, Florida. This area is on the Gulf of Mexico coast, just north of Fort Myers. Because it's so rare, experts say it is "critically imperiled," meaning it's in great danger of disappearing.

What is the Smallcup Spiderlily?

The smallcup spiderlily grows from a bulb, much like an onion or a tulip. It is a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. You can often find this plant growing along roadsides or in pine forests that have been changed by human activity.

How It Looks

This spiderlily looks a lot like another plant called H. latifolia. However, there are a few key differences. The smallcup spiderlily has leaves that are more narrow and feel a bit leathery. Its flowers also have a special part called a corona (a crown-like structure inside the flower) that has edges that look torn or jagged.

Where It Lives

This unique plant is an endemic species. This means it is found only in one specific geographic area and nowhere else in the world. For the smallcup spiderlily, that area is the region around Punta Gorda, Florida. Its small habitat makes it very vulnerable.

Why It's Important

Being "critically imperiled" means that the smallcup spiderlily faces a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Protecting its habitat and understanding more about this plant are important steps to help it survive.