Lilium sargentiae
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
Bulb - cooked[8]. The bulb can be up to 6cm in diameter[10]. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Flowers[12][14][2][6]. No more details are given.
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Grows amongst rank grasses and scrub on granite, slate and mud shales in Szechwan[13].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - Immediate epigeal germination[3]. Sow thinly in pots from late winter to early spring in a cold frame[4]. Should germinate in 2 - 4 weeks. 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 in autumn once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately[7]. 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[7]. Bulbils - gather in late summer when they start to fall off the stems and pot up immediately. Grow on in a greenhouse until large enough to go outside[7].
Cultivation
Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun[7]. Does well on calcareous soils according to some reports[1][4] whilst others say that it dislikes lime[11][5]. Dislikes a very peaty soil[4]. Requires a warm growing season with a neutral or alkaline soil[15]. Prefers a sunny position[11][4]. Does well when grown amongst dwarf shrubs[4]. Except when in very favoured conditions, this plant is best grown in a cool greenhouse in Britain[4]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts, it is therefore best to site the plant in a position that is sheltered from the morning sun[245, K]. Stem rooting, the bulbs should be planted 20 - 25cm deep[4]. 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[7]. Plants are said to be very susceptible to botrytis[15][4]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers have a delicious perfume[9]. 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[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982-00-00
Woodcock. and Coutts. Lilies - Their Culture and Management. Country Life 1935-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Fox. D. Growing Lilies. Croom Helm 1985-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1