The flowers are large, white and fragrant. The perianth tube and the corona are present. It differs from the similar Hymenocallis in its numerous seeds with a thin black skin.[5] Plants belonging to the genus Pancratium have been found in prehistoricCretanfrescoes.[6]
Etymology
The name "Pancratium" is derived from the Greek and means "all-strength", probably referring to the strength of a plant that can tolerate extreme climates. Pancratium species often inhabit extremely dry and sandy areas.[7]
Species
Many species have been published using the name Pancratium, but most have been transferred to other genera (Clinanthus, Hymenocallis, Ismene, Proiphys and Stenomesson).[1] Only a few species are cultivated. P. maritimum and P. illyricum being the hardiest for outdoor cultivation, but shy flowering in cool areas. P. zeylanicum is sometimes grown as a hothouse container plant.[citation needed]
As of June 2023[update], Plants of the World Online of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew accepted 24 species in the genus:[1]
Pancratium tenuifolium and Pancratium maritimum is pollinated by the moth species Agrius convolvuli.[10][11][12][13][14] In Pancratium maritimum pollination by bees, namely Xylocopa violacea, Apis mellifera, and Anthophora bimaculata, has also been reported.[14] However, it has been stated that bees are not effective pollinators of this species and that it fully depends on hawkmoths for effective pollination.[15]
Herbivory
The moth species Brithys crini feeds on Pancratium maritimum in the larval stage.[16]
Brythis crini feeding on Pancratium maritimum within the leaf itself in Playa del Serradal, Castellón
The Convolvulus hawk moth Agrius convolvuli, an effective pollinator of Pancratium
^Synge, P. M. (1961). Collins Guide to Bulbs. Collins. ISBN0-00-214016-0.
^Kandeler, R.; Ullrich, W. R. (6 January 2009). "Symbolism of plants: examples from European-Mediterranean culture presented with biology and history of art: FEBRUARY: Sea-daffodil and narcissus". Journal of Experimental Botany. 60 (2): 353–355. doi:10.1093/jxb/erp012. PMID19264756.
^Walters, S. M. (1986). The European Garden Flora, Vol. 1. Pteridophyta; Gymnospermae; Angiospermae — Alismataceae to Iridaceae. ISBN0-521-24859-0.
^Prameela, R., Padal, S. B., & Rao, M. S. (2022). A new species of Pancratium Dill. ex L.(Amaryllidaceae) from Eastern Ghats of India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 14(3), 20801-20804.
^Kwembeya, E. G. (2021). Tracking biological footprints of climate change using flowering phenology of the geophytes: Pancratium tenuifolium and Scadoxus multiflorus. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65(4), 577-586.
^Eisikowitch, D., & Galil, J. (1971). Effect of Wind on the Pollination of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) by Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Journal of Animal Ecology, 40(3), 673–678. https://doi.org/10.2307/3444
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