ユリ科ヒガンバナ属の多年草で、学名は Lycoris radiata。英名は Red spider lily、Hurricane lily。
The Red spider lily (Lycoris radiata) belongs to Liliaceae (the Lily family). It is a perennial herb that is native to native to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in southern China. This herb was introduced into Japan in the latter part of the Jomon period (3-4 thousand years ago) when the rice plant introduced. It is distributed widely, Akita-Iwate prefecture of Honshu south to the Okinawa Islands. However, it is not common in north Honshu. Scaly bulbs contain starches and alkaloid, therefore it is nessesary to soak out potash with water for edible. They were planted at banks and rice field linches for avoidance of dearth in former days. The Japanese name "Higan-bana" is named for the blooming season (Autumnal equinotial week). Linear leaves grow up in the fall, but they are blighted in the next spring. In Chinese, it is called "石蒜" (shi suan).