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Lilium michauxii Poiret. Common name: Carolina Lily, Michaux’s Lily. Phenology: Jul-Aug; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Dry upland forests, ridges, slopes, and ridges. Distribution: S. VA, e. TN, n. AL, c. MS, and e. LA south to s. SC, Panhandle FL, s. AL, s. MS, s. LA, and e. TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy : = C, ETx1, F, FNA26, G, GW1, K1, K3, K4, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV, Adams & Dress (1982), Skinner & Sorrie (2002), Wherry (1946); = Lilium carolinianum Michx. – S, S13; < Lilium michauxii Poir. – RAB, (also see L. pyrophilum)

Links to other floras: = Lilium michauxii - FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC

Heliophily : 6

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image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© J.W. Hardin | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect perennial from a bulb, found in dry upland forests on ridges and slopes.

Stems: Stems unbranched, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves in 1-4 whorls of 3-15 leaves each (a few alternate leaves), sessile, oblong-oval or oblong-lance-shaped, to 4 1/2 in. long but reduced upward, fleshy-thick, pale beneath, smooth.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers 1-4 nodding on long stalks arising from top of stem; orange; trumpet-shaped with 6 strongly recurved tepals, which are yellow and maroon-spotted toward the base. 6 dangling, rust-colored stamens cluster around the pistil.

Fruits: Fruit an oval capsule.

Comments: Flowers are strongly fragrant.

Height: 18 in.-3 1/2 feet

plant sale text: The flowers of this native lily are orange to yellow or reddish in color with small brown spots in their throats. Each flower is about 3 inches in diameter. This species requires well-drained soil and can be found scattered along rocky woodland edges. Over time, this lily can produce a nice colony by means of its spreading rhizomes. Carolina lily or Lilium michauxii was named in honor of French botanist Andre Michaux who traveled widely throughout the SE. Carolina lily is the official North Carolina state wildflower

bloom table text:

description: Erect perennial from a bulb, found in dry upland forests on ridges and slopes.

stems: Stems unbranched, smooth.

leaves: Leaves in 1-4 whorls of 3-15 leaves each (a few alternate leaves), sessile, oblong-oval or oblong-lance-shaped, to 4 1/2 in. long but reduced upward, fleshy-thick, pale beneath, smooth.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers 1-4 nodding on long stalks arising from top of stem; orange; trumpet-shaped with 6 strongly recurved tepals, which are yellow and maroon-spotted toward the base. 6 dangling, rust-colored stamens cluster around the pistil.

fruits: Fruit an oval capsule.

comments: Flowers are strongly fragrant.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: southeastern United States