Crinum is a genus of about 180 species of perennial plants that have large showy flowers on leafless stems, and develop from bulbs.

[3] The bisexual,[5][3] sessile or pedicellate,[5][4] zygomorphic or actinomorphic flowers[4] are borne one umbellate or solitary inflorescences[3][4] with solid scapes.

Cytological studies have shown that 27 species of Crinum are diploid, having a typical chromosome count of 2n = 22.

These polyploid species produce seeds that are often parthenogenetic triploid or diploids, lack vigour and seldom grow to mature plants.

[2] As of July 2014[update], the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families lists 105 species of Crinum.