Ismene 'Sulfur Queen'
David Ehrlich (Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:57:03 PDT)

Roland asked: Isn't the new name for Ismene now Hymenocallis
or did they bring the old name back

Ismene is sgregated from Hymenocallis on genetic grounds.  Ismene is part of the
Peruvian Andean clade while Hymenocallis is centered in North and Central
America.  Physically, Ismene forms a pseudostem, while Hymenocallis leaves are
all basal; Ismene tepals all have a green midstripe, while those of Hymenocalis
are pure white; Ismene stamens form an angle with the corona, while those of
Hymenocallis tend to be in line.

I have grown Sulphur Queen in the past, and its anthers bore pollen, though I
don't know whether the flowers were fertile.  I am currently growing some Ismene
which I bought nearly a decade ago at a big box store, so it is probably a
hybrid.  But, the flowers are pure white (with green midstripe) lightly scented,
and fertile.  And I am growing the seedlings from it.

David E