Cardiocrinum giganteum - Giant Himalayan Lily

Giant Himalayan lily is a majestic Himalayan plant reaching a height of 2-3 m with almost 20 cm long fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers and large heart shaped leaves. The middle flowers of the raceme open first. The buds have an upright position in the raceme while the flowers in the beginning are oriented perpendicular to the axis but later on become hanging. The white flowers (maroon interior markings) are beautiful and fragrant. After pollination the petals fall off and the swelling ovary lengthens and turns upright from its formerly pendant position. The flower stalks age beautifully in the fall and on a dry day, the seed pods split open and shimmering drifts of delicate seed float down to the ground. Giant Himalayan lily is found in the Himalayas, from Garhwal to NE India, S. Tibet, N. Burma, at altitudes of 1800-3000 m. Flowering: June-July.