Common Names
James Waddick (Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:12:40 PST)

Dear Friends,
The recent request for info on : "skunk lily, chocolate lily,
castor seed" left me a bit befuddled.

I had no idea what a skunk lily is and no one responded in
kind. A quick search came up with Fritillaria camschatcensis.
Pacific Rim Native Plant Nursery does not use this common name at all
and claims they are edible. Another site referred to it as 'Dirty
Diaper Lily' a particularly unfortunate combination. Let's review;
edible and smells like dirty diaper - I don't relish a serving of
this botanical treat.

The scent of rotting meat (according to PRNP) sounds much
preferable to other common names including outhouse lily.

Maybe I am missing something, but surely there is a reason to
grow these. Tell me.

Maybe it is too mid-winter to appreciate the subtlety.

Best JIm W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +