Shirui Lily: Manipur's Rare Flowery Romance

Lilium mackliniae, the Shirui lily or Shirui Kashong Timrawon, is a rare Indian species of plant found only in the upper reaches of the Shirui hill ranges in the Ukhrul district of Manipur.

Introduction

It is located near the boundary of Myanmar to the east, Shirui village in the west, Choithar village in the south and Sihai village in the north.

Location

In the wild, it flowers in the monsoon months of June and July. They are seasonal flowering plants and at their best in May and June when it blooms. The peak season of its bloom is May 15 to June 5.

Blooming Season

This shade-loving lily has pale bluish-pink petals but has seven colours when observed through a microscope. They are ivory on the inside and occasionally are colored a pale pink as well.

Appearance

In the wild, it flowers in the monsoon months of June and July. They are seasonal flowering plants and at their best in May and June when it blooms. The peak season of its bloom is May 15 to June 5. 

Blooming Season

The flowers can be cultivated in various ways. They grow well in humus soil that remains moist and is sheltered from direct summer sunlight. They can be grown as bulbs and seeds.

Cultivation

The lily has medicinal properties which is used in treating skin and stomach problems.

Usage

The locals believe that a princess lived on the hill with her lover Shirui and after she died, she still waits for him and the flower comes from the soil she is buried from.

Legend

The first Westerners to identify the flower were Jean and Frank Kingdon-Ward, who came to Manipur for botanical research in 1946. The couple "discovered" the Siroi lily in 1946 and Frank later named it in honour of his wife.

Western Identification

The Shirui Lily Festival has been started in May 2017, for the first time in history, to increase awareness of the rare flower and its value to the world. The festival is going to be celebrated every year in Ukhrul town as well as Shirui village in Manipur.

Shirui Lily Festival