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Gray's Lily Lilium grayi

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
LIL-ee-um GRAY-eye
Description

Lilium grayi is an endangered species and is listed as an NC and Federal species of Special Concern. This perennial wildflower plant, one of the American Lilies, is grown only at high mountain elevations in moist meadows, bogs, and forests in early summer. This plant height is from 2 to 5-feet with 2 to 3-inch lance-shaped leaves arranged in several whorls.  The flowers are in groups of horizontal to slightly nodding 2.5-inch reddish-orange, bell-shaped flowers.  The sepals and petals have purple spots being slightly flared or reflexed. This plant is difficult to grow and propagate, so it is important to conserve the areas where this plant grows This plant is the only lily native to NC that is pollinated by hummingbirds. This plant is being grown by tissue culture by scientists and is becoming more available in nurseries. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

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Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#endangered#NC native#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#problem for cats#difficult to grow#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#endangered#NC native#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#problem for cats#difficult to grow#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lilium
    Species:
    grayi
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwest Virginia to East Tennessee
    Distribution:
    mountains of western Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available August-September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Groups of horizontal to slightly nodding 2.5" reddish-orange, bell-shaped flowers. Sepals and petals have purple spots. It is slightly flared or reflexed. Flowers bloom June-July.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-3" lance-shaped leaves arranged in several whorls.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats