Plant : Wild Lily
Lilium stewartianum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
Lilium stewartianum, known as the Wild Lily, is a rare and delicate species discovered growing at high elevations on alpine limestone cliffs in Yunnan, China. This small lily features grass-like foliage and elegant downward-facing, spotted flowers at the snow-line—thriving in conditions above 10,000 ft.
Plant Care Essentials:
Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Water Scheduling
Moderate
Growth Habit
Slow-growing
Temperature
Cold-tolerant alpine plant
Plant Profile:
- Scientific Name:
- Lilium stewartianum Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental rare alpine bulb
- Origin:
- China
- Size:
- Typically 20–50cm
- Growth Rate:
- Slow-growing
- Light Requirements:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Watering Needs:
- Moderate
- Temperature Tolerance:
- Cold-tolerant alpine plant
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Flower Color:
- Greenish-olive to yellow
- Flowering Season:
- Summer
- Drought Tolerant:
- No
- Tropical:
- No
- Indoor:
- No
- Has Fruits:
- Yes
- Edible Fruit:
- No
- Poisonous to Pets:
- No
Care Instructions:
This lily grows from a bulb and forms slender leaves close to the ground. It bears a single nodding flower with strongly reflexed tepals tinted greenish-yellow and freckled with chestnut spots. The bloom is fragrant and elegant. Historically rare even in the wild, it is now not in cultivation and believed extinct.
Light
Grew naturally in full sun or open alpine scrub; partial shade acceptable — bright, clear light is essential.
Water
Received moderate moisture in its native alpine environment—well-drained by snowmelt and rocky terrain; avoid waterlogging in cultivation.
Soil
Thrived on limestone-rich, rocky or gravelly soils at altitude; absolutely requires excellent drainage.
Temperature
Adapted to high-elevation temperatures (3,200–4,300 m). Tolerated cool nights and frost; would struggle in warm lowland conditions.
Humidity
Low humidity typical of alpine zones; avoid humid or stagnant air around bulbs.
Fertilizer
No known requirements; plants relied on natural alpine soil nutrition and snowmelt.
Best Placement Ideas
- Alpine rock garden with cool conditions
- Raised gravelbeds or troughs replicating high-altitude slopes
- Cold greenhouse or alpine house only
- Areas with sharp drainage and minimal organic matter
Common Issues
- Bulb rot from poor drainage
- Inappropriate warmth at low elevations
- Excess moisture during dormancy
- Legume or fungal pathogens in humid areas
Things to Watch Out For
- Inability to replicate high-altitude cold
- Overwatering or heavy soils
- Too much shade reducing flowering
- Potential extinction in cultivation
Propagation Tips
Propagation historically by division of bulbs or seed; wild seed dispersal occurred quickly but small population and rarity means limited success. All propagation would require alpine-mimic conditions to succeed.
Maintenance Tips
Since it is not in cultivation and believed extinct in the wild, there is currently no maintenance protocol. In theory, bulbs would be best left undisturbed, with minimal interference and strict drainage in simulated alpine conditions.
Did You Know?
Though it once flowered under cultivation in England in 1952, it has since become extinct in cultivation and is considered extinct in the wild.
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