Crinum L.

1. CRINUM

L., Sp. Pl.: 292. 1753. Type: Crinum americanum L.

Bulbous herbs, perennial. Leaves radical, basal or basally packed forming a distinct aerial stem, ligulate or ensiform, often large. Inflorescences umbellate; spathes large and broad. Flowers pedicellate or sessile. Perianth actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic, salverform or subsalverform; lobes oblong, lanceolate, or linear, straight or curved upward. Stamens inserted at throat of perianth tube; filament suberect to declinate, filiform; anther versatile, linear. Ovary 3-locular; ovules 2 to many per locule. Style slightly decumbent, slender; stigma capitate, small. Fruit a capsule, subglobose, dehiscing irregularly. Seeds orbicular or angular, large.
 
About 100 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, five indigenous species to Thailand.

KEY TO THE SPECIES

1. Plant aquatic                                                                         3. C. thaianum
1. Plant terrestrial
    2. Arial stem present
        3. Inflorescence 6-8-flowered                                             2. C. latifolium         
        3. Inflorescence at least 10-flowered                                  1. C. asiaticum
    2. Arial stem absent
        4. Leaf up to 2.5 mm broad,                                             4. C. viviparum
        4. Leaf at least 2.5 mm broad, not keel                             5. C. wattii