Common Name:

General Information

Lilium speciosum is a herbaceous perennial bulbiferous plant producing a leafy stem around 120cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine and also for use in commercial cosmetic products. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens, valued especially for its large, fragrant flowers.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeastern China and southern Japan.

Habitat

Shaded and moist places in forests, grassy slopes; at elevations from 600 - 900 metres (var gloriosoides)[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lilium speciosum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15 to -20°c when fully dormant[]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[].
Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun[]. Dislikes lime[]. Prefers a light sandy loam with plenty of leafmold[]. Best grown in open woodland or amongst dwarf evergreens[]. Prefers a sunny position[, ].
Stem rooting, the bulbs should be planted 25 - 30cm deep[]. 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[].
A very ornamental plant[] it is easily grown[] but requires a long growing season if it is to do well[]. The flowers diffuse a powerful sweet honey perfume[].
Cultivated for its edible bulb in Japan[]. Red flowered forms are said to be inedible whilst white flowered are acceptable for eating[]. The var. Lilium speciosum gloriosoides is the form found in China and is used medicinally and as a food[]. The variety 'Magnificum' is said to be the best form for growing outdoors in Britain[].
Plants take 4 years to flower from seed[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - cooked[, , , ]. The subglobose bulb is about 50mm in diameter[]. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). The bulb is made up of many imbricate, fleshy leaf scales, without a tunic[].

Medicinal

The bulb is used medicinally[]. This report refers to the var. Lilium speciosum gloriosides, which is the form found in China - no further information is given.

Other Uses

The essential oil in the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a masking agent[].
An extract of the bulbs is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - delayed hypogeal germination[]. Best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in spring[]. Stored seed will require a warm/cold/warm cycle of stratification, each period being about 2 months long[]. 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[].
Division with care in the autumn once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately[].
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[].