Four types of native lilies found in Taiwan

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on April 14, 2006. It reports that Taiwan has four types of native lilies.

What is commonly referred to as the Wild Lily is a native lily to Taiwan. Formally known as the Lilium formosanum, it can be seen throughout the island. Meanwhile, the Lilium longiflorum Thunb, is mostly cultivated by people, which has contributed to the revival of this type of lily. Then there is the Brilliant Lily, which has the loveliest colors of all the lilies. Finally, there is the Lilium collosum, which has lovely yellow blossoms and is extremely rare to see in the wild.

The native lilies of Taiwan can be found from areas around the coastline all the way up to the high mountains. The Lilium formosanum (or Wild Lily), in particular, has been planted in many areas for many years. This type of lily generally blooms between April and July, with flowers that are white and emit a very sweet scent. The floral envelope features a reddish brown color, with a pale green in the center of the flower.

The Lilium longiflorum Thunb is scattered throughout Taiwan's eastern and northeastern coastlines. This type of lily usually blooms in April and May. The stems of these lilies grow as high as 30 to 90 centimeters, while their leaves are relatively short and hard. The flower is pure white and very fragrant. The floral envelope does not have any reddish brown stripes. The bulb of the plant can be used as a food or for medical purposes.

The Brilliant Lily is sometimes referred to as the Bright Red Lily. Its main feature is its brilliant color. As a result of over harvesting, the lily has become quite rare in recent years. Its flower is sometimes seen in low-altitude mountainous areas in northern Taiwan. The stems of these plants grow to about 60 to 120 centimeters. The flower is in the shape of a funnel, with red dots on the petals. It generally blossoms between June and September.

Finally, the thin-leaved Lilium callosum features a yellow flower with a smattering of spots on the petals. It also grows in low-altitude mountainous areas in northern Taiwan, though very rare.

Apart from the Taiwan proper, lilies can be seen blossoming on many offshore islands. Five offshore islands in particular have beautiful displays of lilies in late spring and summer. These are the Keelung Island and Turtle Mountain Island off Taiwan's northern coast, the Green Island and Orchid Island off the island's southeastern coast, and Matsu County's Peikan Island.

The Keelung Island is a volcanic island. Although it is still uninhabited to this day, the Keelung City Government has constructed a number of trails throughout the island, which enable visitors to walk about and witness the beauty of the island's ecosystem. Alongside the trails are large numbers of lilies, which bloom in spring.

The Turtle Mountain Island is hilly and used to be occupied by military personnel. It was the latest among Taiwan's offshore islands to be opened for civilian tourists. Wild lilies cover the whole island in the end of spring, with a sea of white flowers. Visitors are encouraged to take a walk around the Kueiwei military installation and enjoy the white dots of lilies across the island's grassy plains.

The lilies on the Green Island have been revived by local administration in recent years. Now, the number of lilies seen on the island is on the rise. The most commonly seen type is the Lilium formosanum, particularly on mountain cliffs or plains near forests. The most popular place to view the lilies is at the Green Island lighthouse and around the Mati Bridge.

The Orchid island is occupied by the Tao aboriginal tribe, who welcomes visitors with their culture and brightly colored canoes. Every year, the grass plain at the southernmost part of the island is covered by lily blossoms in the end of spring and early summer. A number of mountain chrysanthemums are also interspersed with the lilies, adding some yellow in the sea of white.

Finally, Matsu County's Peikan Island features a type of lily that has been temporarily named the "Matsu Lily". It is none of the aforementioned four types of native lilies, despite the fact that its flower is only slightly different from that of the Lilium longiflorum Thunb. The Matsu Lily grows along various trails and on the cliffs that border the roads throughout the island. It blooms relatively late, between May and August.