This page is a random selection of wiki entries which is updated daily.You can subscribe to it as an RSS feed 
The RSS feed contains 'media' data and can be used as a 'photo feed' by programs such as screen savers, slide shows and picture frames.Click to add Bulb Day to your MyYahoo page 
From Gloriosa on Wednesday 11th of November 2026 04:53:47 PM PST
Gloriosa modesta (Hook.) J.C.Manning & Vinn. (syn. Littonia modesta Hook.) is native to South Africa where it is found in woodland, forest and montane grassland in summer rainfall areas (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, the northern Transvaal, and the Orange Free State). It is a climber, growing from .3 to 2 meters. The plants are summer-flowering (January in Tasmania, July in Berkeley, California). This species is best multiplied by seeds since the tubers do not readily split themselves into two pieces like Gloriosa superba. Fresh seeds germinate easily. Sow them in early spring and keep the seeds more or less in a warm place. They should germinate in about 6 weeks. Photos below were taken by Cameron McMaster and Mary Sue Ittner at Maclear.
The first photo was taken by Cameron McMaster. Photos 2-3 were taken by Mary Sue Ittner. Photo 4 was taken by Nhu Nguyen. The last photo was taken by Rob Hamilton.
Photo 1 by Rob Hamilton shows the fruits 3 months after blooming. Photo 2 by Bob Rutemoeller shows the bright red seeds as the pods are splitting (on 1 cm squares). Photo 3-4 were taken by Brian Whyer. Photo 3 shows a pot of over-crowded seedlings. Photo 4 shows old and new tubers at the end of the season, showing the dominance of one leg in forming the next season's tuber.
From Worsleya on Tuesday 10th of November 2026 04:35:04 PM PST
Worsleya procera (Lem.) Traub, syn. W. rayneri (Hook.f.) Traub & Moldenke, is one of the most sought after and rarest of the bulb world. It is native to Brazil. In its native habitat these plants grow on steep granite cliffs/well drained area, fully exposed to wind, rain and sunshine, constantly subjected to mist from waterfalls. It produces large clusters of gorgeous lilac-blue flowers, speckled mauve within, blooming in mid-summer on stems up to 1.5 meters tall. Plants are not truly self-fertile. Seedlings produced from selfing do not survive very long . Good seeds will last about 9-10 months (Terry Hatch).
It is very exacting in its requirements, including potting medium, temperature, sunlight and water. A position in bright light, not necessarily in full sun, but morning sun, would suit it best (Bill Dijk). Various growers have success with different growing media, but this is dependent on where the bulb is grown. In the US, one of the best media is pumice. A detailed, illustrated article on how to grow W. procera in pure pumice can be found here. It was written by Dr. Paul Resslar of Wesleyan College.
Lee Poulsen posted to the PBS list a description of the climate where this plant grows; see also Organ Mountains Climate Graphs.
To grow from seeds, either float the seeds in water or sow them directly under a thin layer of the medium. Daryl Geoghegan uses 80%25 spent orchid bark (1/2" size) and 20%25 white sand. He leaves the plant in a breezy location and waters them daily. Germination takes about 3-10 weeks at 18-24 °C.
Seedlings and adult bulbs do not go through a dormancy period and will continuously grow throughout the year. Use very fibrous soil, slightly acidic. Water with rain water only. Allow the pots to dry out thoroughly between each watering (Thompson and Morgan catalog).
Photo #1 was taken by Bill Dijk and photos #2-4 were taken by Lee Poulsen of a clone which was grown in the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico. Lee's photos were taken in September 2004. Photo 5 of a bulb by Pontus Wallstén.
Photos #1-3 were taken in situ by Nicolás Garcia on steep granitic morros that surround Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photos #4, 5 by Alan Meerow at the same location.
From Lycoris on Monday 9th of November 2026 04:10:16 PM PST
Lycoris sanguinea Maxim. is known as the Orange Surprise Lily. This is one of the smaller species and one of the most common of Japanese origin. Flowers are apricot to orange and it is one of the first to bloom. The var. kiusiana Makino ex T.Koyama has larger flowers, but is otherwise similar to type. It is hardy to Zone 5. Height: about 18 cm. Photographed and grown by Rob Hamilton.
Lycoris sanguinea var. sanguinea, photographs from Japan by Mari Kitama.
Lycoris sanguinea var. kiushiana Makino ex T. Koyama and Lycoris sanguinea var. koreana (Nakai) T. Koyama were published by Tessuo Koyama in Vol.7 of BAILEYA in 1959. They differ from the typical Lycoris sanguinea by the larger size of flowers and the longer stamens distinctly exserted from the the perianth, in addition to having earlier anthesis. In addition, Lycoris sanguinea var. koreana can be distinguished from Lycoris sanguinea var. kiushiana in smaller size of perianth. Photos below taken by Zhang Pengchong in China and the bulbs were give by Siro Kurita who thought there were two other varieties of Lycoris sanguinea (Lycoris sanguinea var. kirishimense and Lycoris sanguinea var. autumnalis) but not published. The first two are Lycoris sanguinea var. kiushiana, the last two are Lycoris sanguinea var. koreana.
From Costus on Sunday 8th of November 2026 04:18:47 PM PST
Costus barbatus Suess. is native to Costa Rica. Height range: 4-8 ft. Photo by Nhu Nguyen.
From Cyphia on Saturday 7th of November 2026 04:35:15 PM PST
Cyphia bulbosa (L.) P.J.Bergius is found on sandy and stony flats and slopes in the Western Cape, flowering August-November, often after fire. Height range: 12-30 cm. Photos by Dylan Hannon of plants grown from seed, Cape Peninsula: Red Hill, ex Silverhill Seeds.
From Lilium Dauricum Section on Friday 6th of November 2026 04:16:11 PM PST
Lilium pensylvanicum Ker Gawl., syn. Lilium dauricum Ker Gawl., is from Asia and Siberia. It is a very diverse species, growing, depending on variety, anywhere from 13 cm to 70 cm [6 to 34 inches]. Its color ranges are also diverse; there is the standard orange and a few further colour variations such as yellow. red, pink overlay, and red overlay. It is also a species that can produce a lot of near albino seedlings. It was originally named Lilium pensylvanicum by the English botanist John Bellenden Ker (originally named John Gawler, born in 1764 in Andover) and later he renamed it L. dauricum for a region in Siberia. The original name is in 2022 the accepted name although it is still grown and sold as Lilium dauricum. First two photos below by Arnold Trachtenberg. Photo 3 of a bulb by Pontus Wallstén.
Grown in the Northwest Territories (Canada), photos below by Darm Crook
Synonym Lilium dauricum var. alpinum is not listed in 2022 in World Flora Online, Tropicos, or Plants of the World Online although IPNI lists a Lilium dauricum var. alpinum Kuzen. This variety is the hardest one of the dauricum family to grow from seed; it is slower germinating, easier to lose while in the initial stages of its growth and takes an extra year to first flower. It must be the shortest Lilium species in existence, reaching only 13 cm (6 inches) to the tip of its upright stigma; however, it has normal sized flowers. Two photos were submitted by Darm Crook.
Five photos below were submitted by Darm Crook of what he calls the pink overlay. The first three photos show three florets on one stem; the first photo is a day one floret, the second is a floret photo after being open two days, and the third is a floret photo after being open three days. This plant opens with one of the best (colour wise) pink flowers of the lily world, but being an overlay the pink fades out by the end of day three. The last two photos are simply photos of other plants showing some of the variance between the pink overlays from one cultivar to the next.
The red form comes true from seed with variations as shown in the photos. The seeds that produced this line grown in Hay River, Northwest Territories were wild collected in Siberia. The red does not fade and holds the color until the florets are finished. The plants grow to a height of 70 cm and are some of the hairiest forms there are. Five photos were submitted by Darm Crook.
The red overlay like the pink overlay fades out within three days leaving a very standard looking form. Photos submitted by Darm Crook.
Five photos showing some of the yellow colour variation were submitted by Darm Crook. of plants grown in the Northwest Territories.
Other synonyms are Lilium maculatum var. dauricum (Ker Gawl.) Ohwi and Lilium maculatum ssp. dauricum (Ker Gawl.) H.Hara. It produces very little pollen and sets seed when pollinated by any forms of the L. maculatum family. It flowers at the same time as L. maculatum early form. Five photos submitted by Darm Crook
Lilium sachalinense Vrishc is also considered to be a synonym of this species. It originates from Sakhalin Island in Northeast Asia and was raised from material first found by Vladimir Vasak. Photo of a seedling bulb by Pontus Wallstén who comments that this form has a more pointed bulb than other forms of Lilium pensylvanicum and is also to a certain extent stoloniferous.
-
From Favorite Blue Flowered Bulbs Two on Thursday 5th of November 2026 04:49:29 PM PST
Nemastylis geminiflora -- I couldn't believe that a native to the central Texas hill country where I grew up could be so pretty and so blue. Lee Poulsen, Southern California, USDA Zone 9-10.
From Costus on Wednesday 4th of November 2026 04:48:38 PM PST
Costus guanaiensis Rusby is native from S. Mexico to Tropical America. Height range: 3-4 ft.
Costus guanaiensis spp. macrostrobilus (K.Schum.) Maas is native to Panama. The photo below were taken by Nhu Nguyen in habitat.
From Nelumbo on Tuesday 3rd of November 2026 04:48:06 PM PST
Nelumbo nucifera is native to Asia. Flowers are pink or white and the outer petals are shed early on before coming to a full bloom. It is an important plant in Asian cultures, particularly in Hinduism or Buddhism where it is considered sacred. Most parts of the plant are edible. The starchy tubers are often very large with holes running laterally inside. Tubers can be prepared in many ways from stir-fries to stews. The young shoots are delicious stir-fried and have a very distinctive flavor with a nice crunchy texture. The leaves are used to wrap food in markets or food can be steamed in them. The stamens are very aromatic and can be used to flavor tea. The young seeds are eaten fresh and old seeds are used in many dessert dishes. Many hundreds of varieties have come out of horticultural selections and hybrids with N. lutea. Dried seeds are extremely hard and must be scarified before sowing in water.
The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen of an unnamed cultivar. Photos #1-2 show the flowers and photo #3 shows the seedpod and seeds.
From Trillium Species Three on Monday 2nd of November 2026 04:45:30 PM PST
Trillium simile Gleason is native to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, United States. It is a very attractive large species, often forming small clumps, with erect creamy-white flowers (normally) with a purple ovary. The flower is characteristically more funnel-shaped with the ends of the petals flaring sideways. Height: 30-45 cm. First two photos by John Lonsdale. The last photo was taken by Nhu Nguyen in the Great Smokies National Park.
