The rocky shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, will soon flaunt her crown of white, green, and gold. Exquisite, ephemeral, and periled. Much of her habitat lies beneath lakes. Today, with so many shoals beneath lakes, this tenacious plant has little habitat to cling to. It’s a national plant of concern. She rules just three states: Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.

You’ll find the world’s largest colony at Landsford Canal State Park in Chester County, South Carolina. My preferred shoals are Georgia’s Anthony Shoals on the Broad River and Stevens Creek (more like a river) in McCormick County, South Carolina.

Exquisite and ephemeral, the blooms open at night and last but a day. Long white tepals and staminal cup, green bracts, mint green accents, gold stamens and bright-to-dark g

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