Liliaceae

 Lily Family

Cardiocrinum giganteum (Wall.) Makino

Great Himalayan Lily

Nepali: Ghiu paat

The Great Himalayan lily blooms in June and can reach 2-3 meters in height. It has long fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom alternately along the main stem. At Phulchowki it blooms in only one spot at 2400m on a steep slope but it is fully visible from the road. So a few have been plucked by passers-by. The erect seed pods below are also very large and begin to ripen in September. 

Lilium nepalense D.Don

Nepal Lily

Nepali: Khiraunla or Khiraule and Ban Lasun

Lilium nepalense is one of the most beautiful endemic lilies. It blooms from mid-June to early July and is seen from 2250m to 2700m. Occasionally people steal the plants for medicinal use and to sell this beautiful and sought-after lily for people's gardens. The 6 ridged seed pods are shown below. Now they are less common. They were at one time scattered in many locations from about 2250m up to the Army camp below the summit. Medicinal uses: the bulb is used as a tonic or cooked and eaten like a potato.