The Ancient Crinum Lily Inhabiting The Island Of St. Simon And Sea Island Ga.
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The Ancient Crinum Lily of St. Simons and Sea Island, Georgia
Overview
In March of 1774, renowned American botanist William Bartram embarked on an exploration of Georgia’s St. Simons Island. His journey vividly captured the region's landscape, wildlife, and flora, and he documented his warm interactions with the local inhabitants, who frequently offered him food, shelter, and engaging conversation.
Discoveries Near Fort Frederica
One of Bartram’s notable encounters was near what is now Fort Frederica. He described the surroundings as a majestic grove of live oaks leading to the former headquarters of General Oglethorpe, a property subsequently owned by Captain Raimond Demere, an ancestor of many Georgia Island residents. In the southern part of St. Simons, Bartram was captivated by the fragrant Crinum lily or “white lily,” which he marveled at for its delicate structure and broad, green leaves.
The Enigmatic Crinum Lily
In Bartram’s publication "Travels," he identified the Crinum asiaticum, dubbing it Lilium superbum, symbolizing pride and vanity?"a curious insight. Over two centuries, this plant has flourished, becoming a prominent feature on St. Simons Island and the luxurious Cloister Hotel on Sea Island, a five-star resort graced by U.S. Presidents and global leaders. Today, impressive clusters of these six-foot-tall lilies can be admired near the old slave cabins by St. Simons’ airport.
The Crinum asiaticum boasts tall stems with clusters of fragrant white flowers, making it a perennial bloomer, especially in late spring and early summer. The plant produces large green seeds, which can be sown immediately to grow into substantial plants. In regions classified as zones 8-11, these lilies remain evergreen, and even in zone 7, they typically regrow from bulbs after harsh freezes.
Growth Characteristics and Cultivation
In locations like Hawaii, the Crinum can resemble small trees with trunks reaching up to eight feet and crowned with wide leaves. In the U.S., they usually peak at six feet, developing robust stems that root easily when replanted. A mature Crinum will produce offset bulbs that can be separated to propagate new plants. Occasionally, a bulb will naturally split into two, facilitating further growth. Known for their resilience, Crinum lilies thrive in almost any soil with minimal transplant shock.
Botanical Debate
There is some debate among botanists about the Crinum's classification. While Bartram’s original name Lilium superbum isn't commonly used, some question the appropriateness of the name Crinum asiaticum. Bartram identified these plants flourishing naturally along the Eastern U.S. coast in 1774, a scenario that raises questions about their origins.
It seems improbable that Crinum asiaticum seeds could have drifted from the Pacific to the Atlantic, navigating the Southern Hemisphere against ocean currents and surviving the icy Drake Passage near Argentina's Cape Horn. This makes their presence in the U.S. an intriguing mystery.
Conclusion
Bartram’s observations provide strong evidence for identifying the plant as Crinum asiaticum. While there is a native Crinum americanum, its narrow leaves differ from the broad leaves Bartram described. Moreover, the distinctive blooming period he recorded aligns with Crinum asiaticum, not the late-summer flowering Crinum americanum. Bartram’s work not only illuminates the botanical richness of Georgia’s islands but also immortalizes the captivating Crinum asiaticum in botanical history.
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