Lankong Lily Lilium lankongense (Ixc/d)
ABOUT
Lilium lankongense, commonly known as the Lankong Lily, is a captivating flowering plant favored for its ornate blooms. The appearance of this plant is characterized by its exquisite flowers, which are typically suspended from a stout stem that rises from a bulb nestled in the soil. Each flower possesses a captivating turk's-cap shape, with petals that curve backward in a distinctive reflex, creating a whimsical and elegant silhouette. The petals exhibit a soft yet vivid color palette, often adorned with speckles or freckles that add depth and intrigue. The color of the petals can range from a gentle pink to a more intense rosy hue, sometimes even exhibiting gradients that contribute to the flower's visual allure. In the center of the bloom, the petals frame prominent stamens that carry pollen, these stamens extend outward, giving the flower a star-like formation from the core. Each individual bloom has a texture that is both delicate to the touch and visually lush, with a slight sheen that catches the light beautifully. Below the blooms, the foliage of the Lankong Lily presents a bright green color, with leaves that are lance-shaped and arranged in whorls or scattered alternately along the stem, providing a lush backdrop that highlights the flowers. While in bloom, the plant is a spectacular display, and even when not flowering, the foliage maintains a verdant and fresh appearance that makes the Lankong Lily a desirable addition to gardens and floral displays.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Lankong Lily, Lankongense Lily, Er Yue Lan
Common names
Lilium myriophyllum, Nomocharis pardanthina.
ToxicityTo humans
Lankongense lily (Lilium lankongense) can be considered toxic if ingested by humans. While the plant is not commonly known for being highly toxic to humans, ingestion of any part of the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, particularly if a large amount is consumed, the poisoning might lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances due to the gastrointestinal distress. It's important that if ingestion occurs, and symptoms appear, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Lankongense lily (Lilium lankongense) is highly toxic to cats. If ingested by a cat, even in small amounts, it can cause acute kidney failure with symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased urination followed by a decrease in urine production. Without prompt treatment, ingestion of lankongense lily can be fatal to cats. Dogs are less sensitive to lilies, but ingestion can still lead to mild gastrointestinal upset. It is crucial for pet owners to prevent their pets, especially cats, from having any access to lilies and to seek veterinary care immediately if any part of the plant is ingested.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
1 feet (0.30 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Lilium lankongense, commonly known as the Lankong Lily, is prized for its striking blooms which add aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The flowers of the Lankong Lily provide nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting biodiversity.
- Cultural Significance: As an ornamental plant, Lankong Lily is often used in cultural festivals and events for decoration due to its beauty and vibrant colors.
- Educational Use: Botanical gardens and educational institutions may cultivate Lankong Lily to teach about plant biology and horticulture.
- Ecological Benefits: The Lankong Lily can be part of ecological restoration projects, helping to stabilize soil and microenvironments within its native range.
- Garden Diversity: Planting Lankong Lily contributes to the diversity of plant species in a garden, which can lead to a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lilium lankongense, commonly known as Lankongense lily, can be used as a natural pest repellent in gardens due to its aroma which some pests find off-putting.
- The petals of Lankongense lily can be used in a dyeing process, providing a natural source of color for fabrics and textiles.
- These lilies can be used in floral art, such as ikebana, due to their distinct shape and vibrant colors which hold symbolic meanings in certain cultures.
- Dried Lankongense lily flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, contributing a mild and pleasant fragrance.
- The blooms can serve as inspiration for artists and photographers, who often capture the beauty of lilies in their work.
- The sturdy stems of Lankongense lily can be used in light basket weaving, creating intricate patterns and designs.
- The plant's seed pods can be used in dry flower arrangements after the flowering season, adding a unique texture to bouquets.
- Lankongense lily can be used in educational settings to teach about pollination and plant biology due to its prominent stamens and pistils.
- Breeding and cultivating this lily can be a hobby for plant enthusiasts who enjoy hybridizing plants to produce new varieties with different colors and forms.
- Due to their showy appearance, these lilies can be used as part of cultural festivals or celebrations, often symbolizing purity and renewal.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity - As a member of the lily family, Lilium lankongense, commonly known as Lankong lily, often symbolizes purity due to the delicate and often white petals, which can evoke a sense of innocence and cleanliness.
- Beauty - The Lankong lily's elegant appearance makes it a symbol of beauty, often used to represent a refined aesthetic appeal and grace.
- Renewal - Lilies in general are associated with rebirth and renewal. The Lankong lily may also embody this meaning, especially as it blooms each season representing new beginnings.
- Transition - Its lifecycle, from bulb to blossom, signifies transitions and developments, making it a symbol for changes and progress in one's life.
- Motherhood - In certain cultures, lilies are associated with fertility and motherhood, and the Lankong lily may inherit this meaning as an emblem for nurturing and parental love.
WaterLankong lilies should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically equates to watering once a week, although this frequency may increase during hot or dry spells. An approximate amount would be about one gallon per plant for each watering session, ensuring it's distributed evenly around the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. During the dormant season in fall and winter, reduce watering to prevent rot, especially if the bulbs are left in the ground.
LightLankong lilies thrive best in full sun to partial shade, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. The ideal spot would be where the plant can bask in the morning light and be sheltered from the harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves and flowers.
TemperatureLankong lilies prefer a temperature range between 60°F and 70°F for optimal growth; they can tolerate a maximum temperature of around 80°F and a minimum temperature just above freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures outside of 60°F to 70°F can affect their blooming and overall health.
PruningPruning Lankong lilies is mainly done to remove dead or fading flowers and to tidy up the appearance of the plant; this should be done after blooming, usually in late summer or fall. It's important to leave the stems and leaves intact, as they continue to photosynthesize and store energy in the bulbs for the next season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLankongense lily thrives in well-drained soil with a mix of loam, peat, and sand that emulates its native mountainous habitat. Ideal pH levels for this species range from 6.0 to 6.5.
RepottingLankongense lilies should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for bulb growth.
Humidity & MistingLankongense lilies prefer moderate humidity levels, around 40-60%, similar to their natural environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and monitor soil moisture.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in well-draining soil with partial sun.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleLilium lankongense, commonly known as Lankong Lily, initiates its life cycle with seed germination, typically occurring in a cool, moist substrate, which may take several weeks to months. After germination, a bulb is formed underground which serves as an energy storage organ and from which roots grow downwards into the soil while shoots push upwards. The plant enters a vegetative stage in which leaves develop along the stem to capture sunlight and facilitate photosynthesis. Following the vegetative phase, the Lankong Lily enters the reproductive stage, characterized by the development of distinctive spotted pink flowers, which are pollinated by insects; successful pollination allows the plant to produce seeds housed within a capsule. Once the seeds are mature, they are dispersed by various mechanisms, including wind, and the life cycle begins anew. During winter or unfavorable conditions, the plant goes dormant, with the bulb remaining underground until conditions are suitable for the next growth cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Lilium lankongense, commonly known as Turkestan lily, is often propagated through scaling. This process is typically done in late summer or early fall, following the flowering season when the plant is dormant. To propagate by scaling, a gardener carefully removes a few scales from the basal plate of a mature bulb, taking care not to damage the bulb itself. These scales are then placed in a moist, sterile growing medium, such as a mix of peat moss and perlite, and stored at a temperature around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 21 degrees Celsius) to encourage root and bulbil formation. Within a few weeks to months, tiny bulblets form at the base of the scales, which can later be planted out when they are large enough to handle, usually the following spring. This method allows for the multiplication of true-to-type plants, preserving the genetic characteristics of the parent lily.
