National Parks of Taiwan

Critically endangered golden spider lilies successfully restored and in bloom at Buluowan

The golden spider lily (Lycoris aurea Herb金花石蒜) is listed as a critically endangered plant. It can be seen blooming at Buluowan(布洛灣) every autumn and, apart from there, if you look carefully, it can be seen growing in cracks between the rocks in Taroko Gorge, however its numbers are very small. The beautiful large golden flowers growing amidst the rough gorge terrain attract the attention and impress with their toughness and vitality. The lily can be described as “the flower of the gorge.”

Because of the resemblance of its flowers to dragon claws, the lily is also known as “dragon claw flower”. It can adapt to collapsed terrain where sunlight is sufficient. It is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2001 Buluoman Management Station began restoration work, planting the lily on the terrace slopes. Golden spider lilies now cover the hillside and bloom in autumn. The golden spider lily is the plant that represents autumn at Buluowan.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Taroko National Park Headquarters