Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) is a perennial flowering plant admired for its dramatic, late-season blooms and unique form. Its flowers, borne on tall, leafless stems, feature narrow, curling petals in vivid scarlet, radiating around long, elegant stamens that extend well beyond the petals, giving the blossom its “spider” appearance. Native to China and naturalized in Japan, Korea, and parts of the southern United States, it often appears in gardens, woodland edges, and riverbanks.

Also known as hurricane lily or equinox flower, it blooms in late summer or early autumn, often after rainfall, when its foliage has already died back. The sudden emergence of its striking flowers lends it an air of surprise and seasonal symbolism, particularly in Japanese culture, where it is associated with farewells and remembrance. Its bold color, sculptural shape, and ability to attract pollinators make the Red Spider Lily a captivating feature in both formal and naturalistic plantings.