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Lilium brownii - F.E.Br. ex Meillez.

Common Name Hong Kong Lily
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Loose fertile soil along woodland edges or in grass and thickets[147]. Rock crevices, amongst coarse grass and scrub below 1,500 metres[260].
Range E. Asia - Southern China from Hong Kong, to Burma
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lilium brownii Hong Kong Lily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Denis_Barthel
Lilium brownii Hong Kong Lily
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilium_brownii.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Lilium brownii is a BULB growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. candidum. non L. L. odorum.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Root
Edible Uses: Condiment

Bulb - cooked[61, 105, 163]. A pleasant slightly sweet taste[183], they are used as a vegetable in much the same way as potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). A starch can be extracted from the bulbs and added to other foods[183]. The grated bulb can be added as a thickener to soups etc[183]. The bulb is usually rather small[260] - it is 25 - 40mm in diameter[266]. The dried flower petals are used as a flavouring in soups[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antitussive  Carminative  Diuretic  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Pectoral  Poultice  Sedative  
Tonic

The bulb is antitussive, diuretic, carminative, expectorant, febrifuge, pectoral, sedative and tonic[147, 176, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs and haematemesis due to deficiency condition, anxiety, apprehension, oedema and difficult urination[147]. Bulbils from the leaf axils are used in the treatment of intestinal disorders[218]. The dried and powdered flowers are used as a poultice for bruises, cuts etc[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun[200]. Requires a light soil[42, 47]. Is this species lime-tolerant?[200]. Plants prefer a position that s moist in the summer but dry in the winter[260]. Stem rooting, the bulbs should be planted 20 - 25cm deep[42, 47, 143]. Said to be very difficult in cultivation[47], this species tolerates temperatures down to about -3°c[260]. It grows well at Kew but is not hardy everywhere[143]. Self-sterile, the type species does not set seed[47]. It is believed that this species is either of hybrid origin or it is a garden form of the true wild species L. brownii colchesteri. Wils.[143]. It is the sub-species colchesteri that is used medicinally[176, 218]. The flowers have a soft sweet fragrance. This fragrance is more pronounced in the variety 'Viridulum'[245]. The plant does not come into growth until late spring[260]. It should be protected against slugs at this time since if the shoot tip is eaten out the bulb will not grow in that year and will lose vigour[200]. The edible bulbs are occasionally sold in ethnic markets in San Francisco[183] and are a common food item in China[179], where the plant is cultivated for edible and medicinal use[266]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a bulb.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - immediate epigeal germination[130]. Sow thinly in pots from late winter to early spring in a cold frame. Should germinate in 2 - 4 weeks[163]. Great care should be taken in pricking out the young seedlings, many people prefer to leave them in the seed pot until they die down at the end of their second years growth. This necessitates sowing the seed thinly and using a reasonably fertile sowing medium. The plants will also require regular feeding when in growth. Divide the young bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 in each pot, and grow them on for at least another year before planting them out into their permanent positions when the plants are dormant[K]. Division with care in the autumn once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately[200]. Bulb scales can be removed from the bulbs in early autumn. If they are kept in a warm dark place in a bag of moist peat, they will produce bulblets. These bulblets can be potted up and grown on in the greenhouse until they are large enough to plant out[200]. Bulblets are formed on the stem just below the soil surface. These should be dug up in the autumn and replanted immediately, preferably in a cold frame for growing on until large enough to plant out into the garden[143, 163].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hong Kong, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng,China. TROPICAL ASIA: Myanmar,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

F.E.Br. ex Meillez.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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