Lilium callosum

Siebold.&Zucc.

Liliaceae Edible: Root 27 iNaturalist observations

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Description

Lilium callosum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in August. 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. The bulb is up to 3cm in diameter. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Where It Grows

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Primorye), China (Anhui Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Henan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea (c.), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Taiwan

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 are quite hardy if they are grown in full sun. Stem rooting, the bulbs should be planted 15cm 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. Closely allied to L. pumilum. The plant should be protected against 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. 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.