Leopard lily, Shooting stem
Belamcanda chinensis

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A lily-like herb. It is evergreen. It has an underground rhizome. There are many branch roots. It grows 0.5-1.5 m high. It spreads 30 cm wide. The stem is yellow. The leaves are sword like. They are 30-60 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They have veins along them. The flowers are on slender stems. The flowers are orange-red with 6 lobes. There are spots on the flowers. The fruit are 1.5-2.5 cm long. The capsules open to reveal shiny seeds. The seeds are black. Probably now Iris domestica

There is only one (2) Balemcanda species. It is used in medicine in Indonesia and China. Probably now Iris domestica.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in forests and on farms. It grows well in warmer places. It needs well drained and moderately fertile soil. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Fiji, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Rotuma, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or division of the rhizome.

It is a perennial but does not live a long time.

Its other names

Local names

Blackberry lily, Brojo lintang, Kyathit-hninpan, Pardanthus, Repene, She gan, Surjakanti, Wan-hahng-chang

Synonyms

Belamcanda punctata Moench.; Ixia chinensis L.; Pardanthus chinensis Ker.-Gawl.; Gemmingia chinensis O. Kuntze; Moraea chinensis; Iris pampaninii;