Shirui lily Lilium mackliniae
Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Endemic to the Shirui hills (Ukhrul district) of Manipur, north-east India. It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Shirui lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Endemic to the Shirui hills (Ukhrul district) of Manipur, north-east India |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Shirui lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
- Parts: all parts, pollen, vase water
Deadly to cats: any part of a true lily, even pollen licked from fur or the vase water, can cause acute kidney failure. Not poisonous to people or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Shirui lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Shirui lily
- How far apart should I plant Shirui lily?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Shirui lily need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Shirui lily need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Shirui lily?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Shirui lily flower?
- From about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Shirui lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Deadly to cats: any part of a true lily, even pollen licked from fur or the vase water, can cause acute kidney failure. Not poisonous to people or dogs.
- What grows well with Shirui lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Shirui lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- Nodding, bell-shaped flowers of pale pink, flushed purple outside, in late spring. It grows wild only on the grassy slopes of Shirui Kashung peak and is the state flower of Manipur, celebrated each year at the Shirui Lily Festival. Frank Kingdon-Ward found it in 1946 and named it after his wife, Jean Macklin. A challenge in gardens: it wants cool, moist, acid conditions.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lily Lilium
- Tulip Tulipa gesneriana
- Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis
- Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta
- Snake’s head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
- Madonna lily Lilium candidum
- Regal lily Lilium regale
- Easter lily Lilium longiflorum