Lilium catesbaei
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lilium catesbyi
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um KAYTS-bee-eye
- Description
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Pine lily is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower with showy orange flowers. In North Carolina, it is found in the coastal area in pine savannas and sandhill seeps. It is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae). The specific epithet honors English naturalist Mark Catesby (1683–1749), whose Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands was the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America.
This plant has very specific needs and can be difficult to grow and propagate. It needs sun to part sun in moist to wet sandy to sandy loam soils. It may be possible to grow this plant in a container. It is not salt, drought or shade tolerant.
The showy orange flowers are borne on 2- to 3-foot-tall stems in late summer. The linear basal leaves grow from a bulb. The bulb can stay dormant in the wild for up to 5 years until the right conditions occur. It tends to grow well after fires, as this reduces the competition. The flowers attract and are pollinated by large butterflies.
This prima donna is an appropriate plant for a native, rain or butterfly garden, but only where conditions are suitable for its cultivation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pest or disease problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lilium
- Species:
- catesbaei
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elliptical seed capsules with many papery seeds that blow in the wind. Fruit displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large orange flowers with 6 reflexed petals bloom from July to September atop 2-3 foot stems. Each petal has yellow at the base with purple specks. The long stamens have yellow anthers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Dense rosette of linear, pointed leaves arise from the bulb and are about 2-3 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slender green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
