Dear Elaine, The bulb you have described and posted in the Mystery Bulb section looks rather like Rohdea japonica. An image of the species is shown at http://www.eol.org/pages/1082043/ This rhizomatous plant is considered by Buddhists a sacred lily. It is also called Nippon Lily, and is found in southwest China and in Japan. Andrew San Diego -----Original Message----- On Behalf Of E Padovani Subject: [pbs] Mystery Plant Identification Bulb Experts - After assuming ownership of a 45 year old garden on the coast in Waldport, Oregon, we discovered some unusual bulbs growing under debris in a raised bed. They were transplanted to a well-drained sunny location in sandy soil over a septic drain field. The leaves are lanceolate, finely barbed on the margins, opposite, 6 to 8 inches long, and appear to be evergreen even after our tough winter. The bloom stalk is unlike anything I have ever seen before. It reminds me somewhat of a Protea. The flowering structure is about 2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide, composed of bracts in a tight "fibonacci" patterned whorl; the reproductive parts appear to be emerging at the top of this structure (see http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…). Any information you might provide about this oddity would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Elaine