Notholirion is a genus with four (or six, according to some authorities) species in the Liliaceae family. The genus has sometime been placed in Lilium and sometimes in Fritillaria but nowadays is considered to be separate from both. All are native to the Himalayan region, found variously in Nepal, western China, northern Burma, Afghanistan, and other countries in the mountainous area. Most species grow in light woodland and are summer-growing. The bulb is monocarpic, like that of Cardiocrinum, dying after flowering. However, most species produce numerous bulblets which will flower in 3 to 4 years if well grown.
Notholirion bulbuliferum is a summer-growing species distributed from Nepal to western China in the Himalayas. The flowers are much smaller and less showy than those of N. thomsonianum and have little if any fragrance. This picture shows the plants growing in the wild in western China. Photograph by David Victor taken on Xiaosueshan, south of Zhongdian, Yunnan at 3200 metres in July 2005.
Notholirion thomsonianum is a subalpine species from the rain-shadow part of the western Himalaya. It has winter-growing foliage and flowers in late spring, then requires a dry (but not desiccating) summer dormancy. It withstands frost if covered against excessive winter rain. The flowers are lightly fragrant.
Major reference works covering Notholirion include:
Return to the Pbs wiki Photographs And Information page