Lilium longiflorum
Thunb.
White Trumpet Lily, Easter lily, Trumpet Lily
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no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
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no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
Description
Lilium longiflorum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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.
Edible Uses
Bulb - cooked. Mild flavoured and slightly sweet. A starch is also extracted from the bulb. The bulb is 25 - 50mm in diameter. It can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes(Solanum tuberosum). Young leaves and stems - cooked. Eating the leaves and stems severely harms the vitality of the bulb and is not recommended. Flowers. No further details are given. The flower buds are eaten according to another report.
Medicinal Uses
Antiasthmatic Antitussive Expectorant Sedative. The bulb is antiasthmatic, antitussive, expectorant, sedative and tonic (nutritive). It is used in the treatment of coughs, haemoptysis, insomnia and fidgetiness in the later stage of febrile disease.
Distribution
E. Asia - Southern Japan, in the Ryukyu Islands.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan,Korea.
Cultivation
Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun. Lime tolerant., plants grow well in limestone soils. Plants deteriorate rapidly if grown in deep shade. A very ornamental plant it is often cultivated for the cut flower trade. It is only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain and even there needs to be grown in a warm sheltered position with protection from early frosts. The dormant bulbs will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c. It can be grown as an annual, the plants can flower in 6 months from seed. The flowers diffuse a pleasant jasmine-like perfume. Hand pollination is required in order to ensure fertilization. Stem rooting, plant the bulbs 20cm 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. 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.
Propagation
Seed - immediate epigeal germination. Sow thinly in pots from late winter to early spring in a cold frame. Should germinate in 2 - 4 weeks. 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. 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.
Other Uses
EssentialAn essential oil is obtained from the flowers, used in perfumery.
