This lily first sees the light as a thin, lanky shoot. In fact, those who have grown other lilies but not _Speciosum_ would at once pronounce a perfectly healthy shoot of this lily to be “blind.”
When we first grew _L. Speciosum_, and saw the feeble-looking shoots appear, we felt certain that they would not blossom. But fortunately we were mistaken in this surmise, for they did blossom, and they blossomed well.
The stem of _L. Speciosum_ is thin but very flexible. Indeed, the lily rarely needs a stick, as it bends before the wind. We have never had the stem of one of these lilies broken.
The leaves are broader than is usually the case in this genus. They somewhat resemble the leaves of _L. Auratum Platyphyllum_.
The flower buds grow out from the main stem, and when they are fully grown they are furnished with very long stalks. This enables us to cut the flowers singly—which is very desirable, for one can take flowers from a single plant for some weeks, removing each as it opens.
The flowers themselves are about five inches across, with the segments very much recurved and the edges beautifully curled. The colour varies from pure white to deep crimson with white edges. A green line, deeply sunk, runs down the centre of each segment, being broad at the attachments and narrowing to a point about half way down. These six green lines give the appearance of a green star, which is highly characteristic. It is most evident in the white varieties, and especially so in the variety called _Kraetzeri_. The petals which are broadest about their centre are roughened with numerous spines and tubercles. The pollen is brown.
The scent of this lily resembles that of chocolate creams. It is not very powerful in any of the varieties, while some forms are apparently scentless.
The varieties of _L. Speciosum_ may be grouped under the headings of white, rose, red, and purple kinds.
All the white varieties are fine. _Lilium Speciosum Album Kraetzeri_, notwithstanding its big name, is the smallest of the white forms. But though small, it is extremely delicate in colour and shape. The green star is very conspicuous. It is, however, rather tender and requires a certain amount of care to cultivate properly.