Lilium fargesii is a Chinese species of plants in the lily family native to Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China.[1]
Lilium fargesii occurs naturally on the edge of woods in mountains at elevations of 1500 - 1800 meters. The plant grows 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) tall with a slim stem, long narrow leaves and surmounted by a raceme of 1 - 6 flowers. The flowers are Turk's cap in shape with broad reflexed petals of a greenish - white. The petals may be darker green at the edges but are spotted and marked all over with chestnut - brown dots. The flowers are fragrant. The bulb of Lilium fargesii is comparatively small at ¾ inch (1.5 cm) diameter. This lily flowers late in the summer from the end of July to August or September.[2]
It is known as 'lu hua bai he' in China.
It was first described by Adrien René Franchet in 1892,[3] andpublished in 'Journal de Botanique' (Morot) Issue 6(Vols.17–18) on pages 317–318.[4] The Latin specific epithet fargesii refers to the French missionary and amateur botanist Père Paul Guillaume Farges (1844–1912).[5] [6]
Although it was discovered over 100 years ago it has only recently been known and available from horticultural centres.[7]