spider lily: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “spider lily” mean?
A flowering plant of several genera, notably Hymenocallis and Lycoris, characterized by long, narrow, spidery-looking petals and stamens that radiate from the flower's centre.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flowering plant of several genera, notably Hymenocallis and Lycoris, characterized by long, narrow, spidery-looking petals and stamens that radiate from the flower's centre.
Often used culturally to symbolize themes of death, reincarnation, farewell, or beauty that is both alluring and dangerous, particularly in East Asian art and literature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. 'Spider lily' is the primary term in both varieties. Pronunciation differences follow general BrE/AmE patterns.
Connotations
Largely identical. The literary and symbolic connotations (e.g., death, beauty) are cross-cultural, though perhaps more prominent in contexts influenced by Japanese or Chinese culture.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. More likely encountered in gardening, botanical, or literary contexts than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “spider lily” in a Sentence
The [colour] spider lily [blooms/symbolizes...]She planted [a clump of] spider lilies.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spider lily” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The border had a spider-lily theme.
- It was a spider-lily red.
American English
- She preferred a spider-lily arrangement.
- The vase had a spider-lily pattern.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and cultural studies papers discussing plant symbolism or taxonomy.
Everyday
Used by gardeners or in discussions about flowers, especially with an East Asian cultural reference.
Technical
Used precisely in botany and horticulture to refer to specific species within the Amaryllidaceae family.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spider lily”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spider lily”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spider lily”
- Treating it as a single species (it's a common name for many).
- Confusing it with the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).
- Misspelling as 'spidder lily'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most plants called spider lilies belong to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), not the true lily family (Liliaceae). The name comes from their appearance.
In Japanese and Chinese tradition, Lycoris radiata (red spider lily) often blooms in autumn near cemeteries and is used in rites for the dead, symbolizing reincarnation, farewell, and guiding spirits.
Yes, many species are popular garden plants. They are usually grown from bulbs, prefer well-drained soil, and many are surprisingly hardy. Check the specific needs of the genus (e.g., Hymenocallis vs. Lycoris).
Yes, all parts of plants in the genera Hymenocallis and Lycoris contain toxic alkaloids and should not be ingested. They can cause nausea, vomiting, and other serious symptoms.
A flowering plant of several genera, notably Hymenocallis and Lycoris, characterized by long, narrow, spidery-looking petals and stamens that radiate from the flower's centre.
Spider lily is usually technical/botanical, literary in register.
Spider lily: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪ.də ˈlɪl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪ.dɚ ˈlɪl.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None directly. Culturally, the red spider lily is an 'omen' or 'symbol', not a linguistic idiom.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a spider wearing a lily as a hat; its legs are the long, thin petals of the flower.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS EERIE/TRANSIENT (The striking, spidery beauty is often linked to death and the afterlife.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of a spider lily?