Crinadonna or Amaricrinum?

I'm having issues identifying one of my favorite plants.

A little history here...these bulbs (3) were obtained from the Houston Bulb and Plant Mart (an excellennt source for unusual, locally grown plants of all kinds) and were very large (I'd say easily large orange fruit-sized) and planted in middle October. Planted in, I think, 2000 or 1999 and I waited until the 3rd year for bloom. Been blooming wonderfully since. Planted in very rich loam built up over 12 years by heavy application of leaf mulch in, now half to better shade.

Now, the Houston Bulb and Plant Mart publishes a paperback book every year with excellent descriptions of lots of the plants sold. The book alone is worth going for and the plants are healthy and unusual sometimes. This is a fund raiser for them, so unless you are buying amaryllis, tulips, or daff's; you're buying plants grown in a member's yard. Now I have no problem there...they are well suited for Houston growing conditions.

The book described these bulbs as, and I quote: "Crinadonna: Cross between Amaryllus belladonna and Crinum. Fragrant white bell shaped flowers. Hardy. Moist soil in bed full of humus. Full Sun. Culture same as fo Crinum. Naturalizes.Partial sun to full sun."

Now, clearly these are not white flowers. Fragrant, yes. Just starting to bloom.

This is the closest I've found in the PlantFiles...but I'm still not sure. I have seen these growing before in two places. One was a very old roller skating rink I used to take my daughter to, plants must have been there for ages--huge stand. Another right out on Gessner in Tealwood 4' from the street (heavy traffic street--4 lanes). So obviously the plant survives neglect...which appeals to me.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/64366/index.html

Any thoughts about this plant?

The plants as they look now; very cloudy here this morning.

A different shot of blooms.

"Taxonomists and botanists often disagree on the correct naming of hybrids. Amarcrinum has had a variety of names, but according to the RHS Plant Finder, its current correct name is x Amarcrinum memoria-corsii. You may also find it under its former name of crinodonna. A form known as x Amarcrinum memoria-corsii 'Howardii' is widely available. Its flowers are said to be a darker pink, but to my eye, the difference in colour is negligible."

So the RHS comes down on the side of Amarcrinum, not Crinodonna.

Have never heard of the cross being anything but some shade of pink, so the book's description, to me, is in error, strictly speaking. The author may be describing a related strain or cross, but not the one that is discussed in all the literature I have read.

Yours looks like the first one pictured (Andy Cabe photo):

http://www.bulbsociety.org/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS/GRAPHICS/Crindonna/Crindonnalist.shtml

Hope you get it sorted out.

Robert.

Thanks Robert--the link was a good read.
Debbie

But look at this:

http://crinum.iconx.com/html/cinumspecies.html
(Second entry.)

Seems to indicate that contemporary crosses are all Crinum-Amarcrinum, and can be a variety of colors. But again, I say that the "original" cross was pink-rose and thiat is the one that is described the most, though technically, any cross might be as legitamate as any other correctly identified stock.

I guess that what I'm saying is that, as stated at the linked site, that it may have been chance that colored the "original" pink.

Good luck!

Robert.
PS Isn't that a great site?

Robert--Really good site! Had to bookmark that one for future "dreaming". lol

Mine looks exactly like the first in that series when you click Americrinum. Sure would love to have some of those darker ones too. They are also real beauties.
Thanks again--
Debbie