Ken: We have been growing the new Lilium pyrophilum for about four years. This lily has formerly been classified as L. superbum, L. gazarubrum, and L. iridollae. It was only after extensive study and tests that it was determined to truly be a separate species. While it was classified as L. iridollae, if was officially on the Federal Endangered Species list. Now that it has been removed from that species, it is off the Federal list. I'm sure that it will eventually be re-submitted, as it is actually rarer than L. iridollae. While I am a gardner and not a taxonomist, this lily seems quite different from L. superbum from stature to flower form, to rhizome. We have never seen this type of branching stoloniferous rhizome on L. superbum. As a member of the NC Rare Plant Scientific Conservation Committee, let me say that everyone on the committee realizes the importance or burning as an important tool in habitat maintenance and restoration, but none seem to have an "agenda" to burn. As a committee we make reccomendations and then work with appropriate groups to purchase and maintain sites that contain endangered plants. In the species publication, it says "Although we acknowledge the ecological importance of fire to this new lily, we also realize that frequent fire is not a panacea for all members of the longleaf pine ecosystem." "That nearly as many lilies exist in powerlines and gaslines as in areas that burn frequently suggests that mechanical disturbance may be important as well." As for the lilies need for fire, you are correct. We have well over 250 plants growing here at the nursery...all started from bulb scales. None of these have ever been burned and are growing quite well. We hope to have them in the catalog soon...unless they become officially classified as endangered first. Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdel.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent