138 



NOTES ON LILIES 



Kramer's Lily {L. Kramcri.) 



shaped, acuminate, very shortly stalked, firm, green, five-nerved, 

 with minute papilhv) on the margins, 6 to 9 inches long, and (J to 9 

 lines broad; perianth fragrant, horizontal, solitary, broadly funnel- 

 shaped, whitish with a slight reddish 

 tinge, G or 7 inches long, gradually 

 narrowed from the base to the neck ; 

 segments, oblanceolate-oblong, in the 

 expanded flower, falcate above the 

 middle in the upper third, part, the 

 outer ones 15 to IG, and the inner ones 

 20 to 21 lines broad; filaments about 

 half the length of the perianth ; anthers, 

 of a dull brown colour, 8 or 9 lines 

 long; pollen, red; ovary, 15 to 18 lines 

 long, half the length of the slightly 

 ^,^Jf7f\&^^^\y-^^-^ curved style; stigma, 4 to X^ lines in 



y ik\ /miisJi&^^X diameter. Japan ; flowers in the begin- 



ning of July. Probably a hybrid he- 

 tween Sjieciosnn) andOdoruin (?), having 

 leaves like those of the former, and perianth and anthers like those 

 of the latter (v. v. ex hort. Wilsoni). — Var. Barrianum, Baker. — A 

 smaller and slenderer form, with more numerous and more crowded 

 leaves, which are three-nerved and from 2^ to 3 lines broad; perianth, 

 white, 4 inches long; outer segments, 9 to 10 lines broad in the 

 middle, inner ones, 15 to 18 lines broad; ovary, an inch long; style, 

 ^ inch long ; anthers. ^ inch long (v. v. in hort. Barr) . 



This novel and most beautiful form was sent over to nie, for introduction into 

 Europe fiom Japan, bj' M. Carl Kramer, in the winter of 1871 — 72, with 3 drawings, 

 one white, one pale purplish blush, the third, similar in colour, but mueli larger in flower, 

 of the size and shape of Aurahim This Lily was at first received with incredulity, the 

 drawings were considered exaggerated, and it was expected to turn out only a jioor form 

 oi Auratiun. Subse(pient experience has, however, fully vindicated its fair fame as one 

 of the most delicate and lieautifiil species of the Lily trilte. It is stated to grow wild on 

 the mountains of Senano, in the island of Xippon, and also on the hills near Kioto, at 

 a level of 3,000 — 4,000 feet above sea level, and ought, therefore, to be perfectly hardy 

 in this countiy. The bulb, being small, bears the long journey to Europe very badly, 

 at first few importations arrived otherwise than rotten, but now they come over, liaving 

 been packed in claj', at my suggestion, by the thousand, in fair condition. 



The young growth somewhat resembles that o\' Attratuvi, Init it is more slender both 

 as to stem and foliage, the latter is scanty, narrow, and pointed, the lower part of the 

 stem is devoid of leaves. Out of doors, with us, it flowers in July, the colour varies 

 from white, or white suffused with a faint lilac blush, to a rich purple, some of the 

 deeper tinted forms are very beautiful. ^Vlu■n fully established, it ought to be as hardy 

 with us, as in Japan, and to produce 6 to 8 blooms. A considerable difference of opinion 

 has arisen, as to whether the plant is reallj- a species, or only one of the many distinct 

 hybrids or seedling varieties, which Japanese gaideners know so well how to originate and 

 jierpetuate. Professor I'aker suggests that it is a hyluid between Jcqwnkum (Odorutn) 

 and Spcciosum, l)ut neither flower nor habit show the least trace of the last named 

 species. Jlr. T. Moore suggests that it is a hybrid between Auratum and Japoiiicuvi, if, 

 indeed, it be not a mere selection from Auratum itsAt. Three forms were described by 

 M. Kramer originally, Init he added "there are many more startling varieties of it. " It 

 is no doubt one of the most delicately beautiful of all Lilies, and well deserving of the 



