Mother Nature is a wonderful thing and when respected she gives you more gifts than you can image.
Casa de las Olas experiences this every day. Through our respect for our surroundings, respect for what we have and not wanting to leave our mark on the one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, providing tulum beach accommodations, Tulum beach vacations and being the instrument for great vacation stories, balancing the footprint with the stories is a tall order.
Our mission is to leave this property as we found it. Our challenge is to find the resources to maintain this mission. Dah, look around and you will find the answers. So years ago we looked around and found the beach spider lily growing naturally on beach dunes, beach properties and undeveloped Tulum land. Research confirmed our thoughts. This beautiful lily from the Amarilus family (latin name – Hymenocallis littoralis) is a natural beach protector that live happily in the sun, surf and sand.
What is it? Beach Spider Lily – Hymenocallis Littoralis
The beach spider lily is a bulb plant that is indigenous to Mexico, specifically the Southern Mexican Caribbean in the State of Quintana Roo and parts of Central America. It grows on the beach, blooms in the summer until early fall and like mangroves protects the beach from erosion.
Where will you find it?
Other than on the Casa de las Olas property, the Beach spider lily will be found along the beach, on deserted beach lots in the area, in tropical beach gardens, and in the Sian Kaan. The leaves are easy to identify and when in bloom, you can not miss it. The spider lily has a white center with thin petals growing from the center of the flower, mimicking the look of a spider or more closely, a daddy long-legs.
Role in sustainability
Helps with potential beach erosion, adds to the oxygen production, needs little water, looks beautiful and is easy to care for. The bulbs can be separated very easily after the flowering season and planted in the sand to ensure further protection of the beach.
Do you know of any plants that help to sustain the beach? Let us know which is favorite and we will see if it is one that resides in our villa garden. If not, and it can withstand the conditions in Tulum, you may just find that it pops up in our garden on your next visit.
