Blue lilies—better known as the African Blue Lily or the Lily of the Nile—are beautiful blue flowers that defy any definition or descriptions. Lilies, according to the Victorian-era Language of Flowers, represent purity. Not surprisingly, the Catholic faith uses lily as a symbol for purity and virginal cleanliness. When you look at a blue lily, it would be quite evident why. Among the many blue flowers in existence today, there is no other flower that can match the clear and pure beauty of the African blue lily. It isn’t very elaborate or flowery, so this means that the blue lily is a very simple flower. However, this exact simplicity makes it very attractive and appealing.
agapanthus praecox - the blue lily, native to Africa
Also known as the agapanthus praecox, the blue lily is native to South Africa, specifically Cape Good Hope, hence the name of the flower. It was first discovered in 1788 and was included in the lily flower family (officially named Liliaceae) although it was moved into different families (such as the daffodil family and the onion family) until it was classified into its own family (the Agapanthaceae). The genus name is derived from two Greek words, both fitting of the flower’s beauty: agape (meaning love) and anthos (meaning flower). Although no one can decipher why the Agapanthus was named such, it is acknowledged that it could mean “flower of love.” Needless to say, there is no other name that could perfectly fit this flower.
The popular agapanthus is merely a hybried of this species that is part of the Alliaceae family. The African blue lily is an open-faced flower and is divided into subspecies: minimus, orientalis, and praecox. Despite the divisions, however, all three are still quite similar. They can be classified according to the number of their leaves or their size.
For instance, the subspecies praecox can grow up to one meter tall and it can be distinguished by its 500 mm long perianth segments—longer than the two subspecies. It also has fewer leaves, with only around 10 to 11 leaves per plant. This is the subspecies that has medium blue flowers (it doesn’t come in any other color).
The orientalis, on the other hand, is practically the same size as the praecox, although its perianth segments are shorter and it has significantly more leaves (its segments are less than 50mm long and it has more than 20 leaves per plant). Its flower are open faced and are usually in pure white and medium blue colors.
Lastly, the minimus subspecies of the agapanthus genus is significantly smaller than the orientalis and the praecox at 600mm tall. However, it starts flowering quite early in the year. It also has fewer flowers and fewer leaves, shorter perianth, and a less dense foliage, although among the three this one has the most prominent blue shade (although it occasionally has white or grayish white flowers as well). Today, of course, there are now several agapanthus hybrids. This flower is quite easily to hybridize, actually, especially when they are planted near each other.
Tags: African Blue Lily, Agapanthaceae, blue in christian symbolism, flower of love, Liliaceae, lily of the nile, Victorian era
