Lycoris

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of flowering plant known for its bulbous roots, which generates vibrant blooms typically in red or yellow colors during certain times of the year
2. This genus includes plants with striking clusters of flowers that rise on tall stems and are prevalent in Asian regions
3. A genus of perennial plants noted for their colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers that emerge from bulbous roots and are often found in temperate climates

Etymology: Lycoris is a genus of bulbous plants in the amaryllis family, native mostly to East Asia, and its name was given by the Roman poet Virgil, who used "Lycoris" as a name for a beloved in his Eclogues. The name was taken up by botanists as a genus name, so the plant was named after a literary figure rather than after anything about its appearance. The most familiar species, Lycoris radiata, is the red spider lily, whose spidery crimson blooms appear in late summer or autumn on bare stalks, long after the leaves have died back. Its relatives include the yellow-flowered Lycoris aurea, the golden spider lily, so the genus covers the red and yellow blooms the description mentions.