This TOW has been very helpful- I have found it difficult sometimes to sort out information on Hymenocallis to find the drought tolerant, summer rainfall species. The out islands of the northern Bahamas have two 'endemic' Hymenocallis (that I've seen). I hesitate on the endemic status of these because although I've seen one them frequently in the wild, the area has been settled for quite a while and I keep second-guessing myself as to the species. One is relatively large-bulbed (H. arenicola?) and grows in the coral sand dunes right up to the storm line. The bulbs are oten deeply buried. It does not divide and is remarkable tolerant of salt and the winter drought. It is interesting to observe this lily growing out of the debris line from past hurricanes on some of the uninhabited shorelines. Its not clear how far these plants have been carried by the storms. The second species grows more inland, offsets freely and has smaller, narrower, more upright leaves that come to a distinct point. The flowers are correspondingly smaller and have a relatively small corolla. I've never observed this species on the dunes and its usually associated with human habitation- often with abandoned settlements. Virtually all plants exhibit some degree of infection (Cercospora?) as they begin to go dormant during the dry season although plants on the dunes appear to be much less susceptible. Thanks for the useful discussion, Phil Andrews _________________________________________________________________ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page – FREE download! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200413ave/…