Lilium `La Claridad`

Abstract

A new variety of hybrid lily plant bearing large upfacing flowers of excellent form and long persistence, both on the plant and as cut-flowers. The flowers of the new plant are particularly characterized by their light pink coloration with noticeably deeper pink tepal midribs, their inconspicuous white-edged green nectaries, their deeply colored papillae, their lightly ruffled margins, their large size and substance, and their completely upfacing orientation. This combination is completely new in the Oriental hybrid divisions of lilies suited to forcing and to mass commercial cultivation. The variety is highly resistant to Fusarium disease and shows tolerance of virus. The bulbs may be precooled and forced for cut-flower production under a wide range of temperature and light levels. The clone is vigorous and is a good grower and propagator.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinctive variety of Oriental hybrid lily plant substantially as herein shown and described, characterized by its high resistance to disease; its tolerance of virus; its vigorous growth and rapid natural propagation; the excellence of its flower form, size, and substance; its versatility both as a garden plant and as a cut-flower producer from pre-cooled bulbs forced under glass out of season under a wide range of light and temperature conditions; and in particular by its unique completely upfacing flowers with their light pink coloration with noticeably deeper pink tepal midribs, inconspicuous white-edged green nectaries, deep magenta rose papillae on the basal half of each tepal, and lightly frilled tepal margins, a combination unique among Oriental hybrid lilies suited to forcing and to mass commercial cultivation.