This is a 12-foot lily, with 12-inch lilium-like blooms and a stem that resembles bamboo. I was hoping for some flowers this year (after 5 years), but it looks like next year maybe.
I recently read in Bryan's 'Bulbs' that the years to flower run five to ten. Another interesting factoid there notes Cardiocrinum is the only bulbous plant that provides material for a musical instrument (musical pipes by the Napelese).
Bryan considers giganteum 'by far the finest species'.
Wish I had one five years old!