Blackberry lily
Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis), also known as the Leopard Flower or Leopard Lily, is a species of perennial plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Asia, particularly in regions of China and Japan. Despite its common name, the Blackberry Lily is not a true lily, but was so named due to the superficial resemblance of its flowers and leaves to those of the lily family. The plant is notable for its striking orange flowers speckled with red or purple, resembling the skin of a leopard, and its blackberry-like seed clusters that form after the petals fall.
Description[edit | edit source]
The Blackberry Lily reaches a height of 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 inches) and spreads approximately 30 cm (12 inches) wide. It has sword-shaped leaves that resemble those of the iris. The flowers, which bloom in mid to late summer, are typically orange with red spots but can vary in color. Each flower lasts for a single day, but the plant produces a succession of flowers over a few weeks. After flowering, the plant forms clusters of black seeds that look similar to blackberries, hence the name.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Blackberry Lily is grown in gardens for its ornamental value and is valued for its unique flowers and seed pods. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established and can be propagated by seed or division. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10. In colder climates, it can be grown as an annual or the rhizomes can be lifted and stored over winter.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Historically, Blackberry Lily has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported health benefits, including as a treatment for throat ailments and gastrointestinal issues. However, its medicinal effectiveness is not widely supported by scientific evidence.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
While not currently listed as endangered, the Blackberry Lily faces habitat loss in its native regions due to urbanization and agricultural expansion. Conservation efforts are important to ensure its survival in the wild.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Note: As per instructions, no placeholder images are included.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This botany article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
