Hi Gang, Some years ago (not sure when), the Texas Department of Transportation built a bridge over the Trinity River, near the Gulf of Mexico. This Interstate 10 bridge is much traveled and is being widened. When the original bridge was built the DOT created a wonderful habitat for Hymenocallis liriosme as they prepared land for the bridge and foundations. The soil is deep and rich from the adjacent river, and the location is frequently wet or partially submerged in winter. There are many acres of H. liriosme that bloom each April and May; adjacent areas are rich with Crinum americanum. The H. liriosme plants near the bridge are the largest I've ever observed and have the largest flowers too. Perhaps it is just because the soil is so rich and deep, or perhaps the local race is truly large. However, when I grow the river plants in my garden they are typically twice the height of locally obtained plants (Conroe, TX). The river flowers spread to 8 inches (sometimes a bit more), whereas the Conroe flowers are typically 5-6 inches from spidery tip to spidery tip. Anyway, the DOT created a wonderful habitat, but they are now they are widening the freeway. I passed by recently and great chunks of land have been churned up as a new bridge is being put into place, parallel to the old bridge. I never really calculated the area involved, but I suppose there were about 10 acres of H. liriosme plants in bloom in May 2005 and May 2006. I'm sure that many Hymenocallis will survive, but the large expanse of flowers will be a thing of the past. Perhaps half the area will be lost to the new bridge, perhaps more. I guess it is possible that the current construction will inadvertently create a new expanse of H. liriosme habitat. LINK: Image, H. liriosme below I-10 bridge, Trinity River, TX http://members.aol.com/conroejoe/… LINK: Close-up Image, H. liriosme, large-flowered type below bridge http://members.aol.com/conroejoe/… Cordially, Joe Conroe TX
