Formosa Lily
Lilium formosanum
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A bulb plant. The bulb is almost round and 2-4 cm across. The scales are white or tinged yellow. The stem is 20-55 cm tall. It is sometimes tinged purple-red. The leaves are scattered. They are narrow and sword shaped. The leaf blade is 2.5-15 cm long by 4-13 mm wide. The flowers can occur singly or as several in a group. They have a scent. They are white tinged with purple-red. Each flower can produce hundreds are small seeds.
There are about 100 Lilium species. It can be invasive.
Where it is found
A temperate and subtropical plant. It grows on grassy slopes near sea shores and occurs between sea level and 3500 m in Taiwan. It suits hardiness zones 5-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Eswatini, Lord Howe Island, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan
How it is used for food
The flowers, bulbs, leaves and stems are eaten.
Edible parts
Root, bulb, flowers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from small bulbs.
Its other names
Local names
Tai wan bai he, Tiger Lily, Taiwan lily