Lilium bulbiferum, common names Orange Lily, Fire Lily or Tiger Lily, is a herbaceous perennial plant with underground bulbs, belonging to the genus Liliums of the Liliaceae family. The Latin name bulbiferum of this species, meaning "bearing bulbs", refers to the secondary bulbs on the stem.

Description

Lilium bulbiferum reaches on average 20–90 centimetres (7.9–35 in) of height, with a maximum of 120 centimetres (47 in). The bulbs are ovoid, with whitish large and pointed scales and can reach about 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) of diameter. The stem is erect, the leaves are lanceolate, up to 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence has one to five short-haired flowers. They are hermaphroditic and scentless, have six upright tepals, the outer are slightly narrower than the inner ones. The flowers can reach 4-6 centimeters in length and are bright yellow-orange with reddish-brown dots. The stamens are erect, about half as long as the tepals, with red anthers. The style is orange, 35 millimetres (1.4 in) of height. The flowering period extends from May through July.

There are two varieties, Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum (Chaix) Baker in the Western part of the range, and Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum in its Eastern part. Only the last one produces always secondary aerial bulbs (bulbils) in the axils of the upper leaves. These bulbils fall to the ground and mature after two to three years. When manually separated from the stem they can easily used for propagating the plant.

The dwarf plants from the Maritime Alps, formerly described as var. chaixii (Elwes) Stoker, and the large plants from the region of Naples, formerly described as var. giganteum N. Terracc., are now considered as local variants of var. croceum.

Gallery

Plant of Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum

Flower of Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum - lateral view

Flower of Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum

Close up of stamens and stigma of Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum

Stem and leaves of Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum

Plant of Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum

Close up of inflorescence of Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum

Flower of Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum- lateral view

Flower of Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum

Close up of the bulblets of Lilium bulbiferum var. bulbiferum

Distribution

This species is common in the mountains of central and southern Europe from the Pyrenees up to the northern Balkans.

Habitat

These plants grow in mountain meadows and rocks. They prefer calcareous soils in warm, sunny places, but also grows on slightly acid soils. They can be found at an altitude of 500–1,900 metres (1,600–6,200 ft) above sea level.

In culture

The Orange Lily has long been recognised as a symbol of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland.

References

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III. pa. 362
• Orange Order Symbol