Download Article 150 Updated List_St Joseph Lily

Weeds in our Area (Part One Hundred and Fifty)
By Bob and Ena McIntyre – Garden Route Region.
UPDATED LIST: Lilium formosanum = L. longiflorum var
formosanum
Family: Liliaceae
(St Joseph’s Lily/Formosa Lily/Easter Lily)
In all likelihood our apparent dearth of any significant indigenous lilies, led to the Lilium
formosanum (Formosa lily), native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, becoming a firm favourite in
gardens everywhere from the humble backyard to the grandest estate since our early settlers and
in all probability still enjoys that status today. Sadly in areas of our country these lilies are now
naturalised and a serious threat to indigenous vegetation.
The Formosa lily has an interesting history. A thriving export trade in bulbs operated from
Bermuda to New York from the 1890s to early 1920s. When the Bermuda supplies were affected
by a disease the Easter lilies were sourced from Japan. This supply was cut off after the Pearl
Harbour attack resulting in the lilies becoming exceptionally valuable in the United States. Lilium
longiflorum is extensively cultivated as a cut-flower crop.
Description: Lilium formosanum is a tall stem-rooting lily. It
bears a number of fragrant white trumpet-shaped, outward
facing flowers. The flowers are generally white inside with a
reddish-purple flush on the outside. The leaves are shiny,
dark green, narrow and 75-200mm long. The stems are 1.5
to 2.0 m tall, purple-brown and roughly hairy toward the
base. The genus Liliaceae is bulbous herbaceous flowering
plants. Some species are sometimes grown or harvested for
their edible bulbs. The species are popular garden subjects
in mild and sub-tropical regions and also suitable as potplants. Many very beautiful ornamental hybrids have been
developed over the years. They can be used in herbaceous
borders, woodland and shrub plantings, and as a patio plant. The species in this genus are the true
lilies. English and Afrikaans common names often include the name “lily” (Afr. Lelie) in the names
of plants that are unrelated to the true lilies. Another particular point of note is that Lilium
longiflorum, amongst some other types of lilies, are extremely poisonous to cats. Lilies are food
plants for the larvae of some butterfly species.
Invasive Status: The plants invade grassland, moist sites, road verges and plantations. The St
Joseph’s Lily has been moved from Cat 3 to Cat 1b on the updated list; controlled as part of an
invasive species control programme.
Control: Registered herbicides are available
References: ALIEN WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS: Lesley Henderson - Copyright @ 2001
Agricultural Research Council. www.wikipedia.org