Bamboo Lily

Lilium japonicum

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Basic Information

Family: Liliaceae

Genus: lilium

Plant ID (slug): lilium-japonicum

Numeric ID: 23060

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Lilium japonicum is a BULB growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Bulb - cooked[2, 4, 105]. It contains about 18% starch[174]. A slightly bitter taste[174]. It can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antitussive Expectorant Nutritive Sedative Tonic The bulb is antiasthmatic, antitussive, expectorant, sedative and tonic (nutritive)[174, 176]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, haemoptysis, insomnia and fidgetiness in the later stage of febrile disease[176].