Are Cahaba lilies protected?
Emily Wilson
Updated on June 14, 2026
Cahaba lilies are being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. There are four separate populations of Cahaba lilies in Alabama, with three being within the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and one in Buck Creek in the Shelby County city of Helena.
What endangered plant is found in the Cahaba?
shoals lily
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During summer months, this beautiful plant blooms and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature.
Where do Cahaba lilies grow?
One of the most iconic plants of the Cahaba River is the Cahaba lily, an aquatic flowering plant which grows only in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. A type of spiderlily belonging to the amaryllis family, the Cahaba lily is noted for the striking beauty of its three-inch-wide white flowers.
Are Cahaba lilies endangered?
Not extinct
Hymenocallis coronaria/Extinction status
What Lily looks like a Cahaba Lily?
Carolina Spiderlily
The beautiful white flowering plant you have is known as the Carolina Spiderlily (Hymenocallis caroliniana hy-men-oh-KAL-is kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh), a member of the Amaryllis family and native to much of the southeastern US moving into southern Missouri and Indiana to the north.
Are spider lilies endangered?
Spider lilies/Extinction status
Are spider lilies rare?
Spider lily bulbs are rare, but you can sometimes find them at nurseries and online flower delivery sites. These amaryllis relatives are just as easy to grow, and well-worth seeking. Although only summer-bloomers, they add a lot of character to your house plant collection.
What is another name for spider lily?
Lycoris radiata is the botanical name of the widely loved, fall-blooming, red spider lily. Though the Latin name is pretty and not that hard to say, the blooming bulb is better known by many other names. Examples of common names include magic lily, hurricane lily, surprise lily, naked lady and schoolhouse lily.
