White Trumpet Lily, Easter lily, Trumpet Lily

Lilium longiflorum

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

E. Asia - Southern Japan, in the Ryukyu Islands.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Edible Uses: Bulb - cooked[177]. Mild flavoured and slightly sweet[183]. A starch is also extracted from the bulb[105, 183]. The bulb is 25 - 50mm in diameter[266]. It can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes(Solanum tuberosum). Young leaves and stems - cooked[105, 177, 183]. Eating the leaves and stems severely harms the vitality of the bulb and is not recommended. Flowers[183]. No further details are given. The flower buds are eaten according to another report[177].

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antitussive Expectorant Sedative 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].

Known Hazards

None known