Identifying a Mystery Flower in Kansas: Possibly Crinum or Hardy Amaryllid

A gardener shared a photo of a beautiful flower at her husband's grandparents' home in Arkansas City, KS (near Oklahoma), wanting to buy one but unable to identify it. The plant was in a bed near a south-facing foundation, not in a pot.

Identification Process

Tom initially thought it might be Crinum lineare (South African, not hardy in Kansas) or another Crinum. Since it's planted in-ground and survives, he suggested it could be a hardy Asiatic/Oriental lily or a hardy amaryllid like "Naked Ladies" (Resurrection lily, Lycoris squamigera), which bloom in August without foliage. He requested photos of the stalk and leaves for a definitive ID.

Seeing the whole plant, especially foliage, is crucial for accurate identification of bulbous perennials.