DN FLOWERS AND PETS Compiled by Damayanthi Hewamanna he genus is a China as a luxury or health flowering food, most often sold in dry T coming from the form. They are eaten espe- Lily family, . They cially in the summer, for are important culturally their ability to reduce inter- and in literature in much of nal heat. the world and some species They may be reconstitut- are sometimes grown or ed and stir-fried, grated harvested for the edible and used to thicken bulbs. Many other soup, or processed exist with “lily” to extract starch. in the common English Their texture and name, some of which taste draw compar- are quite unrelated to the ison with the potato, true Lilies. although the individual bulb scales are much small- Range er. Lilies are used as food The range of lilies in the plants by the larvae of some Old World extends across Lepidoptera species includ- much of , the north ing The Dun-bar. Mediterranean region, across most of Asia to Lilium hansoni Japan, south to the Nilgiri Types of lilies mountains in India, south Numerous forms are White Lily to the Philippines and from grown for the garden, and southern Canada through Lilium bulbiferum most of these are hybrids. much of the United States. They vary according to They are commonly their parent species, and adapted to either woodland are classified in the follow- habitat, often to grassland ing broad groups. Asiatic habitats. A few can survive hybrids are the medium in marshland and epiphytes sized, upright or outward are known in Southeast facing flowers, mostly Asia including Arboricola. unscented. They are derived from central and East Asian Features species. Martagon hybrids Lilies are leafy stemmed are based on Martagon and herbs. They form naked or Hansonii where the flowers tunic-less scaly under- are nodding in Turk’s cap ground bulbs from which style. they over winter. In some Kingdom : Plantae The Candidum hybrids North American species, (unranked) : Angiosperms includes of Candidum with the base of the bulb devel- Phylum : Anthophyta several other mostly Euro- ops into rhizomes, on (unranked) : Monocots pean species. Lilium bulbiferum which numerous small The American hybrids bulbs are found. Some Order : are mostly taller growing species develop stolons. Family : Liliaceae forms, originally derived Most bulbs are deeply Genus : Lilium from Pardalinum. Many are buried, but a few species clump-forming perennials form bulbs near the soil sur- with rhizomatous root- Yellow lily face. Many species form The large flowers have be used in herbaceous bor- stocks. stem-roots. With these, the six , are often fra- ders, woodland and shrub The Longiflorum hybrids bulb grows naturally at grant, and come in a range plantings, and as a patio are most important as some depth in the soil, and of colours ranging through plant. plants for cut flowers, and each year the new stem whites, yellows, oranges, are less often grown in the puts out adventitious roots pinks, reds and purples. lily garden than other hybrids. above the bulb as it Markings include spots, Some lilies, especially Trumpet lilies include emerges from the soil. brush strokes and picotees. Lilium longiflorum, as well hybrids of many Asiatic These roots are in addition Some species formerly as a few other hybrids, form species, including Regale to the basal roots that included within this genus important cut flower crops. and Aurelianse. develop at the base of the have now been placed in These tend to be forced for The flowers are trumpet bulb. other genera. These include particular markets, for shaped, facing outward or Most species are decidu- Cardiocrinum, Notholirion, instance, longiflorum for somewhat downward, and ous, but a few species the Nomocharis and some Frit- the Easter trade, when it tend to be strongly fra- Lilium candidum and the illaria. can be called the Easter lily. grant, often especially Lilium catesbaei bear a Many species are widely Lilium bulbs are starchy night-fragrant. basal rosette of leaves dur- grown in the garden in tem- and edible as root vegeta- Lastly the Oriental ing dormancy. The seeds perate and sub-tropical bles, although bulbs of hybrids are fragrant, and ripe in late summer and regions. Sometimes they some species may be very the flowers tend to be out- they exhibit varying and may also be grown as pot- bitter. ward facing. They happen sometimes complex germi- ted plants. A large number The non-bitter bulbs of to be tall and quite large nation patterns adapted to of ornamental hybrids have lancifolium and. pumilum like the Lilium “Stargazer”. Lilium Stargazer cool temperate climates. been developed. They can are grown at large scale in Source: Wikipedia A bunch of Yellow lilies Health tips for your pet The Easter Bunny The Flea threat

DEMI 1800s and were made of s a loving pet starts. Depending on pastry and sugar. The East- owner, you’d do which part of the country o you remember er Bunny was introduced to A anything to pre- you live in, your flea sea- when you were in America by the German vent your or dog from son can last for four D school and each settlers who arrived in the suffering. After all, they’re months or it can be a year- time Easter Sunday came Pennsylvania Dutch coun- part of the family. Yet long problem. your art teacher would ask try during the 1700s. every year when flea sea- you to draw the most The arrival of the son begins, the suffering Flea-related colourful egg along with a “Oschter Haws” was con- sets in. It’s like an old bro- diseases bunny, so she can put it up sidered one of “childhood’s ken record. Fleas bite, and in her classroom? But did greatest pleasures,” similar the scratching and chew- account for she ever tell you why each to the arrival of Kris ing starts again. It’s a more than year you had to draw some- Kringle on Christmas Eve. painful and irritating rou- 50 percent of thing related to that? According to the tales of tine for you and your pet. Easter bunnies dermatologic Do you know how the tradition, children would But that’s just the begin- egg came to be and even build brightly colored ning. cases presented the bunny rabbit? well nests, often out of caps and Adult fleas jump on your to veterinarians read closely, because I’m bonnets, in secluded areas cat or dog and they bite and more then sure you are going to enjoy of their homes. them to feed on their 35 percent of this. The Oschter Haws blood. Then the fleas pro- The Easter Bunny is a would, if the children had duce eggs where they drop the total small mythical character that in been good, lay brightly col- from your pet to the animal veterinary legend tells about how this ored eggs in the nest. ground or carpet. The effort he brings baskets filled with As the tradition spread, eggs develop over time colored eggs, candy and the nest has become the into adult fleas. And the If you are in the midst of toys to the homes of chil- manufactured, modern cycle starts all over again. flea season and still have dren on the night before Easter basket, and the plac- They can be an invisible problems with fleas, do Easter. ing of the nest in a secluded threat as the adult fleas on not despair. The Easter Bunny will area has become the tradi- your pet can actually cause Your veterinarian is a either put the baskets in tion of hiding baskets. serious medical problems, flea expert and can advise specific place or hide them Now, I hope next time like flea allergy dermatitis you on the latest new prod- somewhere in the house for when your teacher asks you or tapeworms, and in ucts that kill adult fleas, the children to find when to draw or make a Easter some extreme cases, ane- eggs, and larvae, and that they wake up in the morn- egg or basket, you will ask mia. Flea-related diseases take care of fleas in your ing. her to tell the story of the account for more than 50 environment. The Easter Bunny and Easter Bunny so that you percent of dermatologic They will base their rec- Santa Claus are both very can make arrangements cases presented to veteri- ommendation on your much alike as they brong next time to be good so that narians and more then 35 regional weather condi- gifts to children on the eve you may also get a surprise percent of the total small tions (high humidity and of the special day. Who said only humans and rabbits can celebrate Easter? basket of goodies by your animal veterinary effort. heat means more fleas on The Easter Bunny as the bedside when you wake up Flea control should the way), your pet’s health symbol of Easter is said to where it was first men- The first edible Easter on Easter Sunday. begin as flea prevention and level of flea infesta- come from Alsace and tioned in German writings Bunnies were made in Ger- So I wish you all a very before the flea season tion. Dog scratching itself southwestern Germany, in the 1600s. many during the early Happy Easter! Homes needed Animals Quotes The pictures say it all. rescuing homeless dogs as Two adorable little pups well as , sterilizing longing for that loving them and finding them home where they can bring good homes. their cam- light, life and excitement paigns have been very suc- into so many lives. cesful from the time of their So if there is anyone who inception and tehy are still is out there, who has been going headstrong with their longing for that little spe- program. cial pup you had in mind, Embark re-launched their well now you can make it website, giving it a new come true. look and carried out sevent Embark is now a known sterlization campaign name among every human recently at the Thalangama If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise . who loves to give a hand in Lake side. Embark The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. - Andy Rooney - Unknown =