Family - Liliaceae

Stems - Flowering (aerial) stems to 2m tall, glabrous, glaucous, herbaceous. Stems arise from a scaly bulb.

Leaves - Typically whorled, to +12cm long, 5cm broad, lanceolate to elliptic, glabrous above. Under-surface and margins with tiny teeth. Leaves sometimes alternate just below inflorescence and at the very base of stem.

Inflorescence - One to +5 nodding flowers on long pedicels terminating stem.

Flowers - Perianth (tepals) 6, mostly red with a yellow base and brown speckles, recurved, to +10cm long. Stamens 6, exserted well beyond perianth. Style 1. Stigma 3-lobed.

Flowering - June - July.

Habitat - Low woods, moist ground, slopes, bluffs, roadsides, railroads.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This is an easily recognized lily which is often cultivated. The perianth may vary in color with cultivation. Plants in cultivation can also have many more than 5 flowers terminating the stem. This is the most common lily found in the state. Some authors list this plant as a subspecies of L. canadense L.

Photograph taken at Pultite Spring, Shannon County, MO., 6-27-04.