Lilium mackliniae

Lilium mackliniae in situ, India

Lilium mackliniae, also called Manipur Lily, is a species in the genus of lilies ( Lilium) in the Asian section. The species was first discovered in 1946 by Frank Kingdon - Ward, who named it after the birth name of his wife. It is the state flower of Manipur.

Description

Lilium mackliniae is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the stature heights of up to 115 centimeters, of growing 10 to 15 centimeters underground. The plant is greenish to reddish - brown, hairy and leafy from just above to the approach. The broad - ovoid bulbs are round and are about 4.5 inches wide and 4 inches high, the scales are pale yellow and 2 to 3 inches wide.

The stem forms of aboveground roots. The lanceolate leaves are about 10 cm long and 1 cm wide. They are distributed free around the stem.

It flowers in the rainy months of the south-west monsoon from June to July standing with a single flower or up to 5 in a raceme, nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The hermaphrodite flowers are in threes and have a diameter of about 7 cm. The basic color of the flowers is white to light purple, the flowers outside is coated purple. The bloom are oval to lance-shaped. Anthers and pollen are brown. The seeds ripen in seed capsules.

Dissemination

Lilium mackliniae grows on grassy mountain slopes at altitudes 1730-2590 m.

The species is endemic to the Sirhoi Mountains in the district Ukhrul in Manipur in India. However, it should also give incidence in Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Use

The species was cultivated in gardens but not as good as common. However, they won in 1948 the prestigious Merit Prize from the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show in London.

Culture

A legend of the native Tangkhul Naga says that the lily, the ornament of the goddess Philava was that inhabits the Kashong summit in the Sirhoi. For this reason, the lily should thrive nowhere else than in these mountains, this part of the legend but has since been disproved.

Evidence

• Lilies
• Lilium