Greek cardio – heart, crinum – a lily, referring to the heart-shaped leaves.

Perennial herbs from a tunicate bulb which dies after flowering and is replaced by offsets. Leaves cauline, heart-shaped, not sheathing. Flowers radially symmetrical, tubular, stalked. Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered raceme. Tepals 3+3, free, persistent when withered. Stamens 6, free; anthers versatile. Ovary superior, ovoid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds brown, winged.

3 species from the Himalayas, China and Japan.

Non-perennial bulb; cauline, heart-shaped leaves; tubular unspotted flowers with persistent tepals.

Halliwell (1984), Matthews (2002).

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Liliaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.