Nature Field Guide
Beach Spider Lily
- Spanish name
- Lirio araña
- Scientific name
- Hymenocallis littoralis
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico wants to sketch the plant’s shapes. Tati suggests looking for three clues before guessing its name. What would you notice first?
Species overview
About the Beach Spider Lily
Beach spider lily has long strap-shaped leaves and striking white flowers. Six narrow spreading segments surround a delicate central cup, giving the flower its spider-like outline. It is recorded among the plants of Cahuita.
Identification
Key Features of the Beach Spider Lily
Long strap-shaped leaves
Six narrow spreading white flower segments
A white central cup
Habitat & range
Coastal vegetation and planted gardens.
Local observations
The Costa Rican plant manual records the Caribbean coast and Barra Honda on the Guanacaste part of the Nicoya Peninsula. Tags reflect documented regional connections and are not an exhaustive distribution map.
When to observe
Visit in daylight and compare leaves, flowers and fruits. Flowering and fruiting vary by place, weather and individual plant; a plant may not be in bloom during your visit.
Conservation & care
Observe from paths and leave leaves, bark, flowers and fruits attached. Do not taste wild plants or offer them to pets. Ask a knowledgeable guide to confirm the species.
Observation activity
Draw one leaf and one other feature without picking anything. Compare your sketch with the illustration and record whether you saw flowers, fruits or neither.