Lilium humboldtii
Lilium humboldtii
Lilium humboldtii is a species in the genus of lilies ( Lilium) in the section Pseudolirium. Named is the only native California plant by Alexander von Humboldt.
Description
Lilium humboldtii is a perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 80 cm to 120 cm. The bulbs are small and oval, they are coated with white to purple scales and form rhizomes. The stalk is hard and straight. The oval to lance-shaped leaves are up to 14.5 cm long and up to 3.6 cm wide. They are arranged in two to eight whorls of three to sixteen leaves.
It flowers in July in a pyramidal, paniculate inflorescences with up to 30 nodding, fragrant flowers. The hermaphrodite, threefold flowers have six degree recurved, 5-10 cm long, equally shaped bracts ( tepals ) ( turks composite form). The basic color of the flowers is yellow to red-orange with brown or purple spots. Each flower has six stamens. The anthers and pollen are dark orange, and the filaments creamy white. Each flower has three carpels. The nectaries are papillose. The seeds mature in 3 to 5 inches large seed pods.
Dissemination
Lilium humboldtii is endemic in California, it is often found in oak or pine forests. The species has become rare due to the increasing destruction of their habitat.
System
In addition to the nominate the variety exists:
- Lilium humboldtii var ocellatum: More and larger dots in the flowers, forming roots above the bulb.
Use
Lilium is humboldtii been used increasingly in the first half of the 20th century for the cultivation of the ' Bellingham Hybrids ' and later the ' Bellmaid hybrids ', where it was crossed with Lilium parryi pardalinum and Lilium. These hybrids are still popular today.