Tiger Lily, Devil Lily

Lilium lancifolium

Physical Characteristics

Lilium lancifolium is a BULB growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) 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.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Root Edible Uses: Bulb - cooked[2, 4, 42, 47]. Somewhat bitterish[105]. Fairly pleasant, when properly cooked they are highly esteemed as a vegetable and somewhat resemble parsnips in flavour[183]. The bulbs are up to 8cm in diameter[266]. They are a good source of starch[105, 183]. The bulb can be dried and ground into powder. Flowers - raw or cooked. Used fresh or dried in salads, soups, rice dishes etc[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antiinflammatory Cardiac Carminative Diuretic Emmenagogue Emollient Expectorant Ophthalmic Women's complaints The bulb is antiinflammatory, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient and expectorant[240, 279]. They are used to relieve heart diseases, pain in the cardiac region and angina pectoris[240]. They are used in Korea to treat coughs, sore throats, palpitations and boils[279]. The flowers are carminative[240]. They are used to strengthen the eye-lid muscles and are commended in the treatment of myopic astigmatism[240]. A tincture made from the flowering plant, harvested when in full flower, is used in the treatment of uterine neuralgia, congestion, irritation and the nausea of pregnancy[4]. It relieves the bearing-down pain accompanying uterine prolapse and is an important remedy in ovarian neuralgia[4].

Known Hazards

The pollen is said to be poisonous, producing vomiting, drowsiness and purging[4].