Cardiocrinum (Cardiocrinum) is a genus of bulbous, a representative of the Lily family, a subfamily of Lily-like. The name of this plant in Greek means “heart-shaped lily”, which is associated with the shape of its leaves. The peculiarity of the flower is that immediately after flowering it dies off, but children form around the old bulb, due to which vegetative reproduction can be carried out.
- Family: Liliaceae.
- Origin: Far East.
- Stem: long, hollow, thick.
- Leaves: broad, heart-shaped.
- Fruit: dry capsule with seeds.
- Rhizome: thickened, with fleshy roots.
- Reproductive ability: propagation by bulbs and seeds.
- Illumination: penumbra.
- Watering: moderate.
- Storage temperature: suitable for growing in warm regions. Winter hardiness is average, needs shelter from frost.
- Flowering time: 2 months.
Giant lily cardiocrinum and her photo
The bulb is white, conical, about 8 cm in diameter, consists of open scales. The stem is hollow, up to 2 cm in diameter and up to 2 m in height, strewn with flowers. The leaves are large, wide, heart-shaped, dense, smooth, with mesh venation. Change color throughout the summer season. First bronze, then olive hue with red veins, finally dark green. The leaves located closer to the root are somewhat larger than those that form at the top of the stem. The basal leaves are the largest, their diameter is 30 – 35 cm. They are attached to thick, strong petioles.
The flowers are fragrant, greenish-white, funnel-shaped, drooping, 10 cm in diameter, collected in racemes of 5-30 pieces. Even from a small, not yet flowering bulb, a beautiful rosette of leaves is formed. The cardiocrinum flower resembles an enlarged lily, for which the plant is often called the “giant lily”. Flowering occurs in July. Before flowering, the rosette of leaves rises, during this period the plant resembles a palm tree. During flowering, the giant lily is greatly depleted. The bulb spends all the nutrients on the formation of an impressive peduncle, as a result of which it dies after flowering. All that remains is a stem with fruits – dry cylindrical boxes, inside which contain many small, light brown, flat seeds. Dying, the bulb forms daughter bulbs with a pair of leaves in the axils of scales.
Types of cardiocrinum
In nature, this plant is found in Japan, India, East Asia, China, the Himalayas, Nepal, Sakhalin. There are four types of cardiocrinum (giant lily ) in total.
Chinese cardiocrinum (Cardiocrinum cathayanum) is a relatively low flower, the stem of which reaches 1. 5 m. Its peculiarity is that the leaves are formed only at the top of the stem. The leaf plates are dark green, up to 20 cm long, up to 10 cm wide. The flowers are greenish-white.
The upper part of the pericarp is dotted with purple spots. It grows in dense forests and along river banks in Central and Eastern China. This species is thermophilic, suitable for cultivation in the southern regions.
Giant cardiocrinum (Cardiocrinum giganteum Makino) up to 2 m high. The bulb is large, 8 – 15 cm in diameter. The flowers are white, green, tubular, collected in inflorescences of 20 pieces. Flowering occurs in August.
It grows in damp forests and on mountain slopes. Distributed in the Himalayas, India, China. It is winter-hardy, but needs shelter for the winter.
Yunnan Giant Cardiocrinum (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. Yunnanense) . The height of the stem is 1 – 1.2 m. The plant has spectacular heart-shaped glossy leaves, which in spring, when blooming, acquire a burgundy tint. In summer they become dark green. The flowers are large, white, with a red stroke inside, collected 12 – 20 pieces in a brush. Grows in Southwest China and Burma.
Cardiocrinum cordatum or Glen (Cardiocrinum cordatum glehnii) . A very beautiful plant 2 m high. The leaves are dense, heart-shaped, 35 cm long, 15 cm wide. The flowers are funnel-shaped, white-cream, up to 15 cm in diameter. Are located horizontally. Collected in inflorescences of 10 – 25 pieces.
It grows in the Kuriles and Sakhalin. Found in mixed and deciduous forests. Prefers sunlit places, tall grasses. Settles along the banks of streams, rivers on well-moistened soils. Lily Cardiocrinum Glen is recommended for growing in the southern and middle regions of Russia.
Growing Giant Cardiocrinum
Giant lily (cardiocrinum) has an average winter hardiness. Suitable for planting in regions with a mild warm climate. For the winter requires additional shelter from frost. To do this, you can use dry fallen leaves, peat, or covering dense material.
For growing Gymgan cardiocrinum, you should choose a slightly shaded area, closed from wind and drafts. In the soil, the flower is not whimsical, but it will be better to grow on fertile, light loam. Feeding with compost and humus is possible.
Since giant lilies look so impressive and majestic, they will look harmoniously next to undersized, creeping species that are tolerant of shading. Cardiocrinum goes well with conifers. Planted singly or in groups on lawns. In both cases, an unusual flower becomes a magnificent decoration and highlight of the garden plot.
Other photos of lily cardiocrinum are presented on our page: