{"id":31223,"date":"2019-06-17T01:42:29","date_gmt":"2019-06-17T01:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=31223"},"modified":"2026-10-27T23:32:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T23:32:42","slug":"sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/","title":{"rendered":"Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh: The Rare Lily of Damash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the mountain slopes near Damash in Iran\u2019s Gilan Province, a rare wild lily appears for a short period in early summer. Known locally as <strong>Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh<\/strong>, <em>Lilium ledebourii<\/em> is prized for its elegant, hanging flowers and its association with the region\u2019s protected natural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/#where-does-sousan-e-chehel-cheragh-grow\" >Where does Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh grow?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/#when-is-the-best-time-to-see-the-flowers\" >When is the best time to see the flowers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/#what-does-lilium-ledebourii-look-like\" >What does Lilium ledebourii look like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/#photographs-of-the-rare-lily\" >Photographs of the rare lily<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sousan-e-chehel-cheraagh-lilium-ledebourii\/#how-to-visit-responsibly\" >How to visit responsibly<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"where-does-sousan-e-chehel-cheragh-grow\"><\/span>Where does Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh grow?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The species is native to <strong>northern Iran and the southern Caucasus<\/strong>, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/powo.science.kew.org\/taxon\/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A537633-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kew\u2019s Plants of the World Online<\/a>. Damash, in the mountainous Amarlu area of Gilan, is among its best-known Iranian habitats. The local population is protected, and visitors should treat the flowering site as a sensitive natural area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when-is-the-best-time-to-see-the-flowers\"><\/span>When is the best time to see the flowers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flowering is generally associated with <strong>June and July<\/strong>, but the exact dates vary with weather and elevation. A <a href=\"https:\/\/en.ifilmtv.ir\/News\/Content\/39616\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 2022 report from iFilm<\/a> documented the flower in Damash. Check the season locally before making a special trip; blooms may last only a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-does-lilium-ledebourii-look-like\"><\/span>What does Lilium ledebourii look like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its flowers hang from tall stems, with recurved pale petals, delicate markings and conspicuous stamens. The photographs below show how the blooms look at different stages, from tightly curved buds to fully open flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"photographs-of-the-rare-lily\"><\/span>Photographs of the rare lily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1150\" title=\"Cluster of pale, downward-facing Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh lilies among green foliage\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of pale, downward-facing Sousan-e Chehel Cheragh lilies among green foliage\" class=\"wp-image-31251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-705x396.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27232333460_81b0d737a7_k-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A flowering lily stem in a green mountain landscape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1150\" title=\"Close view of Lilium ledebourii flowers and buds on a leafy stem\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k.jpg\" alt=\"Close view of Lilium ledebourii flowers and buds on a leafy stem\" class=\"wp-image-31253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-705x396.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410186252_598df83a5c_k-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Several pale lily blooms and buds in their natural setting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1150\" title=\"Hanging white lily flowers beneath tree branches\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k.jpg\" alt=\"Hanging white lily flowers beneath tree branches\" class=\"wp-image-31255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-705x396.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27410234212_e1401c4342_k-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bell-shaped flowers hanging beneath the foliage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1150\" title=\"White lily blossoms with recurved petals and reddish stamens against a blue sky\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k.jpg\" alt=\"White lily blossoms with recurved petals and reddish stamens against a blue sky\" class=\"wp-image-31256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-705x396.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509150205_9f31dc5fdb_k-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The distinctive recurved petals and prominent stamens of the wild lily.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1150\" title=\"Close-up of a downward-facing Lilium ledebourii flower\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a downward-facing Lilium ledebourii flower\" class=\"wp-image-31257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-705x396.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27509178495_b3385c9664_k-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A close view of a hanging bloom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-31258 size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"800\" title=\"Open Lilium ledebourii flower with spotted petals and orange-red stamens\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732.jpg\" alt=\"Open Lilium ledebourii flower with spotted petals and orange-red stamens\" class=\"wp-image-31258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-780x567.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-646x470.jpg 646w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-705x513.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/636668149204336732-450x327.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An open lily flower reveals its spotted petals. Photos by irna.ir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-to-visit-responsibly\"><\/span>How to visit responsibly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stay on established paths, keep a respectful distance from the plants and never pick flowers or dig up bulbs. Avoid trampling nearby vegetation while taking photographs. For more of Gilan\u2019s natural landscapes, explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/bandar-anzali-attractions\/\">Anzali Wetland guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the rare Sousan-e Chehel Cheraagh, Iran&#8217;s protected Lilium ledebourii, thriving in Damash and Kelardasht&#8217;s natural monument areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":31260,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,305],"tags":[16020,16019,16018],"class_list":["post-31223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism-iran","category-how-to","tag-endemic","tag-lilium","tag-sousan"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Susan.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31223"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31223\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}