About Lilium bulbiferum L.
Lilium bulbiferum L. typically grows to an average height of 20 to 90 centimetres (7.9 to 35.4 inches), and can reach a maximum height of 120 centimetres (47 inches). Its ovoid bulbs, which have large, pointed whitish scales, grow to around 1.5 centimetres (0.59 inches) in diameter. It has an erect stem, with lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 10 centimeters long. Its inflorescence holds one to five short-haired flowers. These flowers are hermaphroditic, scentless, and have six upright tepals, with the outer tepals slightly narrower than the inner ones. Flowers reach 4 to 6 centimeters in length, and are bright yellow-orange marked with reddish-brown dots. Its stamens are erect, around half the length of the tepals, and have red anthers. The orange style grows to 35 millimetres (1.4 inches) tall. Flowering occurs from May through July.
There are two recognized varieties of Lilium bulbiferum: L. bulbiferum var. croceum (Chaix) Baker, found in the western portion of the species' range, and L. bulbiferum var. bulbiferum, found in the eastern portion of the range. Only var. bulbiferum always produces secondary aerial bulbs called bulbils in the axils of its upper leaves. These bulbils fall to the ground and mature after two to three years, and can be easily manually separated from the stem to propagate the plant. Dwarf plants native to the Maritime Alps, formerly classified as var. chaixii (Elwes) Stoker, and large plants from the Naples region, formerly classified as var. giganteum N. Terracc., are now treated as local variants of var. croceum. Extrafloral nectaries on this species were first reported by Zimmerman in 1932, at least for the variety croceum.
Lilium bulbiferum is widely distributed across much of Europe, ranging from Spain to Finland and Ukraine. It grows in mountain meadows and on hillsides. It prefers calcareous soils in warm, sunny locations, but can also grow in slightly acid soils. It can be found at altitudes between 500 and 1,900 metres (1,600 and 6,200 feet) above sea level.
