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Lilium catesbaei

Previously known as:

  • Lilium catesbyi
Phonetic Spelling
LIL-ee-um KAYTS-bee-eye
Description

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.   

More information on Lilium.

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Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#native perennial#orange flowers#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#mammals#butterfly friendly#food source roots#problem for cats#difficult to grow#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#container plant#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#native perennial#orange flowers#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#mammals#butterfly friendly#food source roots#problem for cats#difficult to grow#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#container plant#coastal plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slender green stems
  • 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