Lilium auratum var. platyphyllum ("Sakuyuri")

Japanese name: サクユリ （作百合）
Scientific name: Lilium auratum var. platyphyllum

[Overview]
A perennial growing up to 2 m tall.
It is found at the edges of woods in mountains and hills, and on open slopes and in grassy places.
Underground it has a fleshy, yellowish-white, flattened-spherical bulb more than 10 cm across.
Leaves are simple and alternate, lanceolate to long-ovate, with entire margins.
The upper surface of the leaves is glossy.
The leaves have short petioles.
A raceme at the top of the stem bears several to 20 large flowers that face sideways to slightly downward.
The flowers are funnel-shaped and 30 cm across, the largest among the lilies native to Japan.
The tepals are recurved, 10–18 cm long and white, with a yellow line along the central vein on the inner surface.
The flowers have a strong fragrance.
The pollen is reddish brown.
The fruit is an oblong capsule 5–8 cm long.

[Uses]
The bulbs are almost free of bitterness and are sweet, so they are eaten.
It is one of the important parents of the Oriental hybrids.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers partial shade away from the afternoon sun and well-drained soil rich in humus.
Avoid excess moisture, and ensure good drainage and ventilation.
In winter, protect it from cold wind.
For potted plants, water when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, watering is unnecessary unless it becomes severely dry.
As basal fertilizer, give a slow-release fertilizer high mainly in phosphorus and potassium, and from spring until the flowering period, apply additional fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Pests and diseases include virus diseases, rot and aphids.

[Notes]
It can be distinguished from Yamayuri by its larger size and by the flowers having almost no reddish-brown spots.

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