About Lilium kesselringianum Miscz.
Lilium kesselringianum Miscz. is a large herbaceous species in the lily family. It is native to the North Caucasus, South Caucasus, and northern Turkey. Its natural growing range extends from sea level along the Black Sea up to subalpine elevations in mountains, where it occurs on forest edges, in brushlands, and in grassy meadows. Mature plants typically reach a height of 1 to 1.5 meters (40–60 inches), though records exist of specimens growing as tall as 2 meters (80 inches). It produces an oval bulb 10–20 cm (3–4 inches) in diameter, covered in protective scales. Its lanceolate leaves are 10–20 cm (4–8 inches) long, and grow along the full length of the plant's stem. In June, 5 to 10 nodding flowers grow in a raceme at the tip of the stem; plants growing in Abkhazia flower up to three weeks later than this typical timing. The flowers are bright to straw yellow, shaped from tubular to bell-shaped, and spotted on their inner surfaces. Each flower is 6–8 cm (2.5–3 inches) in diameter and 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) long, with petals that curve backward at the tips, and pollen that ranges from bright yellow to beige.
