Stolons of Lilium nepalense

Stolons of Lilium nepalense. L. nepalense is a native of the Himalayas, growing at between 1000 and 3000m above sea level. Its growth habit is stoloniferous; the bulb develops a vertical flower-bearing stem, together with laterally extending horizontal stems (stolons). These grow beneath the surface of the soil, eventually terminating in a new shoot, and so propagating a new plant. In horticulture, this means that new plants may appear at a distance from the original bulb. The picture shows a plant of L. nepalense growing in a large 35cm diameter flowerpot. Under these confined conditions, the stolons have emerged from beneath the soil surface, before curving downwards to re-penetrate the soil. Clearly visible are developing roots in rings around the stolon. Under natural conditions, these roots (underground) would grow and feed the extending tip of the stolon