Cardiocrinum giganteum
| Cardiocrinum giganteum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cardiocrinum giganteum
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. The plant has delayed epigeal germination and will often germinate in the spring but can take up to 2 years especially if the seed is stored prior to being sown[1]. An alternative is to mix the seed with some moist leafmould and seal it in a plastic bag. Keep this at a temperature of 20°c for 3 weeks then pot up any seed that germinates and place the rest in a fridge for 4 - 5 weeks at 3 - 5°c before sowing in a warm place[2]. Seedlings should be grown on in pots in a shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse for 3 - 4 years before planting them out in their permanent positions[2].
Bulblets are obtained from the base of the old plant after flowering. Pot up and plant out when well established.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist well-drained position in shade and a soil that is rich in leafmould[3][4]. Requires a deep, very fertile humus-laden soil[5]. Prefers growing in woodland conditions[6][4].
A monocarpic plant, the bulb takes about 7 years to reach flowering size but then dies after flowering. However, it produces a number of new bulblets at the base and can be propagated by these[3][4]. These bulblets take 3 - 5 years to flower[4].
The flowers scent the surrounding area with their rich sweet perfume[7].
When planting, only just cover the bulb with leafmould[3]. The bulb is very attractive to slugs, mice and voles and may require protection[4].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to Assam and Sikkim.
Habitat: Woodland clearings at an altitude of 1,500 - 2,400 metres and as high as 3,600 metres around Simla[7].
Medicinal: The leaves are used as an external cooling application to alleviate the pains of wounds and bruises[8].
A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat dislocated bones[9].
Usage: A kind of flute is made from the hollow stems[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Lilium giganteum.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fox, Derek. Growing Lilies. Croom Helm, 1985.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.