What is lycorus?

Lycoris is a genus of flowering plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Asia and parts of the Himalayas. The plants are also known by common names such as spider lilies, hurricane lilies, and surprise lilies. They are bulbous perennials that produce clusters of showy, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall, leafless stems. The flowers come in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white and bloom in late summer or fall, often after the leaves have died back. The genus includes around 20 species, some of which are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens and parks. The bulbs of some species have medicinal properties and are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Lycoris plants prefer well-drained soil and full sun to light shade, and are drought-tolerant once established.