[Back to Scientific Name List] [Back to the Common Name List]

[Back to Flowers and Foliage Page] [Home]

Nerine sp. (Includes N. bowdenii, N. flexuosa, and N. sarniensis)
(ner-EEN)
Common Name: Nerine, Guernsey Lily, Spider Lily
Family Name: Amaryllidaceae

Bulbous plants with flowers in striking colors. N. bowdenii is electric pink. Other species and hybrids are white and near-red. Native to South Africa. Nerine is from the Latin meaning 'sea nymph'. The name 'Guernsey Lily' dates back to the 18th century when a ship carrying bulbs foundered in the English channel. Nerine bulbs of N. sarniensis washed ashore on the isle of Guernsey and naturalized. Although natives of South Africa, to this day the most common English name is Guernsey Lily.
N. bowdenii is the most common Nerine on the market. Nerines bloom naturally in late summer to late fall in northern areas which is also the time of greatest availability.
Postproduction factors

Development at harvest . The flower stalk is harvested without leaves. Cut nerine when the oldest bud is mature and partially to fully open. Research indicates that bud-cut nerine develop in solutions. Flowers cut a the very tight bud stage may develop crooked stems.

Consumer care.
Recut stems and place flowers in a warm floral preservativ solution made with clean water. Keep in a cool place.

Retail handling
Preparation. Unpack flowers immediately and recut stems.

Hydration . Use clean, tepid water.

Preservative . Test nerine with a floral preservative to determine whether its use is warranted.

Temperature. Refrigerate nerine at 45 to 50 F (7 to 10C).

Lasting qualities . Vase life differs among cultivars. In plain water, flowers last 10 to 14 days.

Ethylene . Nerine longevity is effected by exposure to ethylene but no reports of STS treatment have been published.

Temperature . Hold flowers at 45 to 50 F (7 to 10 C).

[Back to Scientific Name List] [Back to the Common Name List]

[Back to Flowers and Foliage Page] [Home]