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Lilium speciosum - Thunb.

Common Name Oriental Lily
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shaded and moist places in forests, grassy slopes at elevations of 600 - 900 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - S. China and S. Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lilium speciosum Oriental Lily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilium_speciosum_%28lit%29.jpg
Lilium speciosum Oriental Lily
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilium_speciosum.jpg

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Lilium speciosum is a BULB growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. 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 and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. lancifolium. non Thunb.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - cooked[2, 105, 163, 266]. The bulb is about 5cm in diameter[266]. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).

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.


The bulb is used medicinally[266]. No further information is given.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Seashore, Specimen. Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun[200]. Dislikes lime[42]. Prefers a light sandy loam with plenty of leafmold[47]. Best grown in open woodland or amongst dwarf evergreens[1]. Prefers a sunny position[42, 143]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. Stem rooting, the bulbs should be planted 25 - 30cm deep[143]. Early to mid autumn is the best time to plant out the bulbs in cool temperate areas, in warmer areas they can be planted out as late as late autumn[200]. A very ornamental plant[1] it is easily grown[163] but requires a long growing season if it is to do well[200]. The flowers diffuse a powerful sweet honey perfume[245]. Cultivated for its edible bulb in Japan[2]. The sub-species L. speciosum rubrum. Mast. ex Bak. is said to be inedible whilst L. speciosum album. Mast. ex Bak. is said to be acceptable for eating[163]. The variety 'Magnificum' is said to be the best form for growing outdoors in Britain[245]. Plants take 4 years to flower from seed[143]. The plant should be protected against rabbits and slugs in early spring. If the shoot tip is eaten out the bulb will not grow in that year and will lose vigour[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - delayed hypogeal germination[130]. Best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in spring[143]. Stored seed will require a warm/cold/warm cycle of stratification, each period being about 2 months long[163]. Grow on in cool shady conditions. Great care should be taken in pricking out the young seedlings, many people 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan (north)

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

Thunb.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

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