Lily of Cangshan

Lily of Cangshan

　　Lily, also known as Yehe, is valued for its plump, fleshy bulb, which is delicious and rich in amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients. Since ancient times, it has been considered a premium dish at banquets and family tables. Additionally, lily has medicinal benefits such as relieving coughs, boosting energy, clearing the heart, moistening the lungs, and aiding the spleen and stomach. It holds high both culinary and medicinal value. To develop distinctive and efficient agriculture in suburban areas and establish an integrated industrial model covering pre-production, production, and post-production.

　　Dali City has leveraged the renowned foothills of Cangshan Mountain to develop the lily industry and create the "Lily of Cangshan" branded agricultural product. This initiative has optimized agricultural structure, increased agricultural efficiency, and boosted farmers' income. In 2000, ten townships (towns) in the city demonstrated the cultivation of lilies on 431 acres, yielding good growth, minimal disease, and superior quality, with an estimated total output of 420–500 tons. The product is now entering its peak harvest and market season. Analysis shows that large lilies with bulbs over 7 cm in diameter account for about 50 tons, with a reference selling price of 9 yuan per kilogram; medium to large lilies with bulbs between 4–6 cm make up around 200 tons, with a reference price of 7–8 yuan per kilogram; and small lilies with bulbs under 4 cm total about 150 tons, with a reference price of 4–6 yuan per kilogram. To optimize agricultural restructuring, develop specialty and branded agriculture, and achieve a second leap in agricultural development, all townships (towns), relevant departments, and brokers are working together to expand the domestic and provincial markets and distribution channels for "Lily of Cangshan," contributing to the industry’s growth next year. Lily is a premium vegetable, with its plump, fleshy bulb being delicious, nutritious, and flavorful. It also offers medicinal benefits such as clearing the heart, moistening the lungs, relieving coughs, boosting energy, and aiding the spleen and stomach. Across China, the edible and medicinal values of lily are widely known, and its name symbolizes "a harmonious union for a hundred years" and "all things in harmony," giving it deep cultural significance. Wild lilies have grown in Cangshan Mountain since ancient times. Like camellias and azaleas, the wild ornamental lilies of Cangshan are extraordinarily beautiful, with dozens of color varieties including yellow, white, blue, purple, lilac, orange, and red. Though fewer in number, edible lilies are exceptionally delicious and regarded as a "mountain delicacy" by the Bai people. Lilies from Cangshan yield up to 2,017 kg per mu, with a per-mu output value reaching 22,187 yuan. The largest single lily weighs 198 grams. Its scales are large, pure white, and tightly closed at the base, indicating excellent quality and taste. The foothills of Diancang Mountain in Dali are located in a low-latitude, high-altitude geographical environment with cool and temperate climatic conditions, making it the most suitable area for growing high-quality lilies. Currently, Dali City has established an agricultural product processing laboratory that is developing advanced post-harvest processing techniques for lilies, laying the foundation for the development of a large-scale lily industry spanning ten thousand mu. (Dali)