Pancratium maritimum - Sea Daffodil, or Sea Lily - (Amaryllidaceae)

Pancratium maritimum

The sea daffodil is one of the few flowers to appear late in the year in the Mediterranean region, although its presence is obvious throughout the year because its long, tough leaves can be found on beaches right up until the plant flowers from July through until October. Not only can this remarkable plant withstand the soaring temperatures of a Mediterranean summer, but it is also specially adapted to thrive in the harsh, salt-laden conditions of the sandy beaches which are its home.

The Sea daffodil is a member of the Daffodil family (Amaryllidaceae).

The plant can be found throughout the Mediterranean region, including many sites along the coast of the Algarve in southern Portugal. The specimens illustrated above were photographed in Turkey during July.