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Cardiocrinum giganteum - (Wall.)Makino.

Common Name
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woodland clearings at an altitude of 1,500 - 2,400 metres and as high as 3,600 metres around Simla[245].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to Assam and Sikkim.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Cardiocrinum giganteum


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cardiocrinum_giganteum.jpg
Cardiocrinum giganteum
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Philippe_Giabbanelli

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Cardiocrinum giganteum is a BULB growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lilium giganteum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Poultice

The leaves are used as an external cooling application to alleviate the pains of wounds and bruises[240]. A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat dislocated bones[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Musical

A kind of flute is made from the hollow stems[272].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist well-drained position in shade and a soil that is rich in leafmould[47, 200]. Requires a deep, very fertile humus-laden soil[233]. Prefers growing in woodland conditions[42, 200]. A monocarpic plant, the bulb takes about 7 years to reach flowering size but then dies after flowering. However, it produces a number of new bulblets at the base and can be propagated by these[47, 200]. These bulblets take 3 - 5 years to flower[200]. The flowers scent the surrounding area with their rich sweet perfume[245]. When planting, only just cover the bulb with leafmould[47]. The bulb is very attractive to slugs, mice and voles and may require protection[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. The plant has delayed epigeal germination and will often germinate in the spring but can take up to 2 years especially if the seed is stored prior to being sown[134]. An alternative is to mix the seed with some moist leafmould and seal it in a plastic bag. Keep this at a temperature of 20°c for 3 weeks then pot up any seed that germinates and place the rest in a fridge for 4 - 5 weeks at 3 - 5°c before sowing in a warm place[138]. Seedlings should be grown on in pots in a shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse for 3 - 4 years before planting them out in their permanent positions[138]. Bulblets are obtained from the base of the old plant after flowering. Pot up and plant out when well established.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cardiocrinum cordatum Bulb1.8 6-9  LMHSM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Wall.)Makino.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

david turney   Tue May 22 2007

i have been growing cardiocrinums for about 6/7 years.they were various sized bulbs,and for the past four years iv had flowes.last year two produced forked stems and this year six seem to be forked.does anyone know why they fork,is there a reason?.on one hand i get two flower stems on one plant on the other they dont produce the same height as single stems.

Janis Lister   Sun Aug 9 2009

I have one of these lilys but what do i do with the seed pods at the top where the flower has died. and what is the best time to pick them off if this is what i do please advise

cantillon   Tue Nov 10 2009

cut off the seed pod to get better bulblets ( too late now though), split the bulb offsets at the bottom and replant them singly with their noses just showing. Protect from slugs etc

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Subject : Cardiocrinum giganteum  
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