Scarlet Turk's Cap Lily
The Shulamite maiden compares the red lips of her beloved shepherd to a rare and exquisite lily (Solomon 6:2, 5:13). Scholars believe that Scarlet Turk's Cap lily, Lillium chalcedonicum is the plant referred to. This lily grows 3-4 foot tall with brilliant scarlet flowers. Some report that it has a bad odor if you get too close. Some refer to the plant as the lily of Greece or the Red lily of Constantinople. This lily may have another Latin name now. The picture shown is representative of turk's cap lilies, not necessarily Lillium chalcedonicum. As mentioned earlier in this series, it has been difficult for botanists to identify precise plants mentioned in the Bible.
Star of Bethlehem
The book of II Kings 6:25 mentions the dove's dung found in the hills and cliffs. Botanists believe this is Ornithogalum narbonense although O. umbellatum, nutans or tenuifolium (all from Europe) may have been included. This lovely grass-like plant with star shaped white flowers was so common that the hills and cliffs looked like they were covered with bird droppings. Species O. narbonese was probably the species mentioned here because the bulbs could be eaten roasted or boiled and were not poisonous even if eaten raw. The other species are poisonous when eaten raw and must be cooked first. Even today, poor people dig these bulbs for food.
Star Thistle
Star thistle, Centaurea calcitrapa, is one of the thistles growing throughout the Mediterranean region. In Genesis 3:17-18, God curses the ground and says it will bring forth thistles and thorns as punishment for the first man and woman breaking the rule about not eating from the Tree of Life. As with most thistles, Star thistle has a deep purple flower and grows in wastelands as well as the center of our garden!
Tulips
Tulips, Tulipa montana, was most likely the Rose of Sharon mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:1. Verse 12 of the chapter specifically says it is the flower that appears when the turtle dove is heard in the land. Clearly this refers to spring blooming bulbs. Since the original species is rarely available, use any red colored tulips. Tulipa fosteriana or Tulipa greigii (called Red Emperor and Red Riding Hood tulips) would be good choices. The wide range of tulip colors available today is a direct result of the hybridizing done by the Dutch.
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