Madonna Lily

Madonna lily is white type of lily. Madonna Lily's Scientific name is lilium candidum.

Madonna lily is a plant in the true lily family. it is native to the Balkans and Middle East, and naturalized in other parts of Europe, including France, Italy, and Ukraine, and in North Africa, the Canary, islands Mexico, and other regions.

It has been cultivated since antiquity, for at least 3,000 years, and has great symbolic value since then for many cultures. One of the most beautiful plants originated in the East Mediterranean and transferred to all other parts of the world. It is a rare species that appears in only a few locations on Mt. Carmel and Upper Galilee.

The most historic lily of all, this ravishingly fragrant, dazzlingly simple flower is pictured on Minoan pottery from 1600 BC and in countless paintings of the Virgin Mary.

Appearance

A leafy floral stem, which generally grows 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) tall, but exceptionally 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall, emerges in late spring and bears several sweetly and very fragrant flowers in summer.

The flowers are pure white and tinted yellow in their throats.

Symbolic

Lilies symbolize love, purity, fertility and rebirth but Madonna lily symbolize purity, innocence, chastity and elegance. In the 5th century it became associated with Christianity and by the Middle Ages it was closely associated with the Virgin Mary in particular.

Culinary uses

True lilies bloom from bulbs, which are edible and the most nutritious part of the plant you can eat. Add these bulbs, along with lily roots, to soups or stews to thicken them. Alternatively, stir-fry sliced lily roots and bulbs until they become soft and chewy, similar to fingerling potatoes.

In Taiwan, both the flower and bulbs are used as food, as are the other related species

Toxicity

The Madonna Lily poses no significant threat to human health. Yes, the plant can produce mild irritants, but these are defense mechanisms, not toxins. But cats are extremely sensitive to the toxicity of the plant and ingestion is often fatal.

To cultivate

Growing up to 4-6 feet tall (120-180 cm) on rigid, leafy stems, this Lily performs best in full sun or part shade and is not fussy about soils, provided they are rich in humus and well-drained. Good moisture is required, and dry soils should be avoided.

Madonna Lily needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot.