Lilium brownii is a perennial herb that closely resembles the species
Lilium longiflorum used for ornamental purposes. According to
Flora of Hong Kong, the two species differ in the fact that
L. longiflorum has glabrous filaments and not papillose nectaries. The scales of bulbs of certain
Lilium spp., probably including
Lilium brownii, are added to certain dishes in China. The scales have a unique sweet taste.
L. brownii could be found in open shrublands and sunny hillslopes within Hong Kong. The plant species is listed in government documents as one of the protected plant species in Hong Kong. I originally expected that the plants found in the nature would bear smaller flowers when compared with
L. longiflorum sold in the flower market, but I was wrong, the flowers of the naturally occurring plants are actually gigantic, very easily spotted even if it is mixed with the shrubs. Some of the plants found in Hong Kong have a purplish color on the external surface of the corolla tube. Flowers are found in summer and here are some photos I took while hiking in the NT in June.
 |
| Flowers without purplish color |
 |
| Leaves and stem |
 |
| Purplish flowers |
 |
| Buds |
 |
| Plant growing on sunny slope |
No comments:
Post a Comment