Lilium wallichianum Schult.f.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘We are indebted to our friend Mr. Ferguson for a drawing and description of this fine and fragrant Lily, which was introduced to the Botanic Garden at Belfast by Major Madden, from the north of India (“Almorah”), and flowered in the autumn of 1850.  It was first discovered by Dr. Wallich at Sheopore, and found near Sirrinuggur by Mr. Robert Blinkworth; the former gentleman gave an excellent representation in his “Tentamen Fl. Nepalensis” (from which we have copied the roots), under the name of L. longiflorum Wall., not being aware that there was a L. longiflorum of Thunberg, from Japan, a species already in our gardens, and by some apparently confounded with this species, though truly and permanently, we believe, distinct.  Schultes changed the name of our plant most properly to L. Wallichianum.’  [BM t.4561/1851]. 

Flore des Serres [FS f.612/1850-51] figures Lilium longiflorum Wall., a tall-growing species with white flowers, from Nepal and introduced in 1849, synonym Lilium wallichianum Schult.f.  This plant is clearly distinct from Lilium longiflorum Thunb.

History at Camden Park

The only reference to this plant is a handwritten entry in a copy of the 1850 catalogue held at the Mitchell Library, inscribed on the front Wm. Macarthur, 23rd Dec. 1854.  [ML 635.9m].  Certainly grown in the gardens at this time.

Notes

Lilium wallichianum Wight (c.1853) = Lilium neilgherrense Wight.

See also Notes under Lilium aurantiacum Pax.