Lilium Lophophorum

I first learned of these beauties watching a Nova program (called "First Flower", all about Paleobotany and the rise of Angiosperms) I highly recommend this program which can be seen at pbs.org. This little lily grows in high elevation sub-alpine meadows and even alpine tundra slopes. The extraordinary thing about this plant is the flower(as with most lilies, even though some possess lovely foliage) as it opens the tips of the petals stick together for most of the blooming time. Then they break apart and the petals twist clockwise. It is amazing these little flowers possess both of these attractive attributes. If anyone can get this plant I would love to know where it can be purchased. If anyone has some they can part with either plants or seeds, I will trade or pay handsomely for them. I will plant them next to the crown jewels of my collection, pictured below. Good Gardening Everyone

I believe you will have a hard time finding this without importing it. Chen Yi (Kaichen Nursery) imports into the US but is known to collect in the wild and sell, which I believe you are adverse to do ;-)

http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/2676/

Wallaby1, our contact in the UK grows alot of species and she may have an idea. There was a very recent post on the Yahoo lily group posted by a member growing it but he/she lives in Norway.

When I first saw your post last night, I went through the last 6 years of NALS seed exchange lists and not once was it donated.

If anyone finds seeds I WANT SOME TOO!!!

I'll be finding this one for sure and I'll let you know when I do, even if I have to order from rare plants in the U.K., but they just buy it from Kaishen, so I don't know what to do, I'll just have to be patient.

Beaver Creek sells Lilium lophophorum "grown from wild seed"; I got one from there this spring.

http://www.rockgardenplants.com/plantcatmain.htm

Hey thanks, I will look into that, i really appreciate the tip. Sometimes, I feel torn about the wild collected seed issue, I only turn it down if the species is really in trouble and needs every individual possible. Then again; a few growers collecting some wild seed to start a breeding stock will hopefully help in the long run. I think people usually sink to removal of wild plants when they cannot find such a plant in a nursery, and or because others cannot find it and there is a black market. It's really sad because it is very hard to get permits to propagate/rescue threatened/endangered plants. I think in many cases finding skilled horticulturalists to develop effective techniques and reintroduction programs. Some organizations have started this precedent but there is a lot of red tape.

I had to check in the freezer and see if I had any more seed. I had gotten some lophophorum seed in a GW trade in 2006. I had planted some in 2006, and my records show they sprouted. But I didn't remember seeing them this spring so I planted more seed just one week ago. After a check in the freezer, I see that I used them all. Sorry.

Well, Hey thanks a lot for thinking of me, that's enough to give me hope that I'll find some sooner or later. Still have to check Beaver Creek, thanks all.