Mystery Plant Identification
AW (Thu, 12 May 2011 09:02:09 PDT)

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