Lilium philadelphicum

For the flowering plant known as the speckled wood-lily, see Clintonia umbellulata.

Lilium philadelphicum, also known as the wood lily,^[3] flame lily,^[4] Philadelphia lily, prairie lily, or western red lily, is a perennial species of lily native to North America.

Lilium philadelphicum
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Subfamily:	Lilioideae
Tribe:	Lilieae
Genus:	Lilium
Species:	L. philadelphicum
Binomial name
Lilium philadelphicum L.
Synonyms[2]
Lilium andinum Nutt. Lilium lanceolatum T.J.Fitzp. Lilium masseyi Hyams Lilium montanum A.Nelson Lilium umbellatum Pursh Lilium wansharicum Duch.

Distribution

The plant is widely distributed in much of Canada from British Columbia to Quebec, and parts of the United States (Northeast and Great Lakes regions plus the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains).^[5][6]

Description

Lilium philadelphicum grows to a height of approximately 30 to 90 centimeters. It produces red or orange blooms between June and August.^[7]

Varieties

• Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum—western wood lily, native to Midwestern U.S., Great Plains, and Western U.S. regions.^[8] It is the floral emblem of the province of Saskatchewan in Canada, and is on the flag of Saskatchewan.^[9][10][11]

Conservation

Lilium philadelphicum is listed as an endangered species in Maryland, New Mexico, Tennessee and North Carolina.^[5][12] Its status is a threatened species in Kentucky and Ohio.^[5]

As the Saskatchewan provincial floral emblem, it is protected under the Provincial Emblems and Honours Act, and cannot be picked, uprooted or destroyed in any manner.^[10][9]

Toxicity

Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal.^[13][14][15] Households and gardens that are visited by cats are strongly advised against keeping this plant or placing dried flowers where a cat may brush against them and become dusted with pollen that they then consume while cleaning. Suspected cases require urgent veterinary attention.^[16]

Rapid treatment with activated charcoal and/or induced vomiting can reduce the amount of toxin absorbed (this is time-sensitive so in some cases, vets may advise doing it at home), and large amounts of fluid by IV can reduce damage to kidneys to increase the chances of survival.^[16]

Traditional uses

The bulbs were eaten by some Native Americans.^[17]

Gallery

• 
  Flower with foliage
• 
  Side view of flower
• 
  Immature flower
• 
  Rare yellow form in Logan County, North Dakota, USA
• 
  Exhibit at Callaway Gardens