Lilium grayi S. Watson. Common name: Gray's Lily, Roan Lily. Phenology: Jun-Jul; Aug-Sep. Habitat: Bogs, seepages, grassy balds, moist forests, and wet meadows, at medium to high elevations. Distribution: A Southern Appalachian endemic: sw. VA, nw. NC, and ne. TN.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: Clearly related to L. canadense (especially through the somewhat intermediate L. canadense var. editorum), L. grayi appears to be adapted for pollination by Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Adams & Dress 1982). See L. canadense var. editorum for additional comments. In addition to the characters in the key, L. grayi can be distinguished in sterile condition from the two more common species of the Mountains by leaves, which are widest near the midpoint, averaging 4-6× as long as wide (vs. distinctly wider toward the apex in L. michauxii, and widest near or below the midpoint but typically > (6-) 8× or more as long as wide in L. superbum); seedlings may not show typical morphology. Additionally, L. grayi has spicule-roughened midveins and leaf margins, while those of L. superbum are smooth or nearly so.
Other Comments: The two most important strongholds for this rare lily (each with thousands of individuals) are the Roan Mountain massif (Avery and Mitchell counties, NC and Carter County, TN), where it was first found, and Long Hope Valley (Watauga and Ashe counties, NC). Otherwise, it tends to occur in very small, isolated populations in bogs, seeps and wet pastures (likely former bogs). Ingram, Donaldson, & Levy (2018) summarize information about a fungal foliar disease seriously impacting Lilium grayi. Certainly one of our most beautiful wild plants!
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA26, G, K4, NS, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tn, Va, W, Adams & Dress (1982), Wherry (1946). Basionym: Lilium grayi S.Watson 1879
Links to other floras: = Lilium grayi - FNA26
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Lilium grayi, Jane Bald, Roan Highlands, Pisgah National Forest, Avery County, North Carolina 5 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Lilium grayi, Jane Bald, Cherokee National Forest, Carter County, Tennessee 4 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Lilium grayi, Jane Bald, Cherokee National Forest, Carter County, Tennessee 3 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial from a bulb, occasionally found in bogs, seepages, grassy balds, moist forests and wet meadows, at medium to high elevations.
Stems: Stems unbranched, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves in 3-8 whorls of 3-11 leaves each, sessile, elliptic to lance-shaped, 1-5 in. long, rough on the margins and veins beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers 1-9 on long stalks branching off from the top of the stem, slightly nodding to perpendicular to stem, deep red-orange, spotted with purple and lighter red within (becoming yellow at the throat), trumpet shaped, to 2 in. long, consisting of 6 very slightly recurved tepals.
Fruits: Fruit an erect, oval capsule.
Comments: A rare southern Appalachian endemic.
Height: 2-5 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial from a bulb, occasionally found in bogs, seepages, grassy balds, moist forests and wet meadows, at medium to high elevations.
stems: Stems unbranched, smooth.
leaves: Leaves in 3-8 whorls of 3-11 leaves each, sessile, elliptic to lance-shaped, 1-5 in. long, rough on the margins and veins beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers 1-9 on long stalks branching off from the top of the stem, slightly nodding to perpendicular to stem, deep red-orange, spotted with purple and lighter red within (becoming yellow at the throat), trumpet shaped, to 2 in. long, consisting of 6 very slightly recurved tepals.
fruits: Fruit an erect, oval capsule.
comments: A rare southern Appalachian endemic.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: NC, TN & VA
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