For decorative purposes, the Hawaiian lily can be used to cover large walls. Native to Central America, the Hawaiian lily blooms in the shape of yellow trumpets. Be careful, all parts of the plant are toxic. Blooms at the end of spring/beginning of summer at Val Rahmeh.
Identity Card
Taxonomy
Detailed Informations
Etymology
Solandra is a genus named after Swedish naturalist and botanist Daniel C. Solander. Maxima means “the biggest” in Latin.
Description and flowering period
Solandra maxima is a climbing woody vine reaching up to 12 meters in height within its natural range. Its leaves are persistent, oblong, tough and shiny. The large, solitary flowers are trumpet-shaped and present recurved margins. They start blooming in early spring and continue through early summer. They are predominantly golden-yellow with maroon linear veins; they are only slightly fragrant in the evenings. The fruits are spherical greenish fleshy berries.
Habitat
It requires a fresh, nutrient-rich yet draining soil in full sun or light-shade. It is hardy to 0°c though leaf damage starts when temperatures reach below 7°C.
Uses
Ornamental.
Notes
All parts of the plant are toxic. The closely related species Solandra grandiflora can easily be confused with Solandra maxima. It can be differentiated from the latter by its flowers, which are longer and of a lighter shade of yellow.
Translated by: François Saint-Hillier – MNHN
