Carolina Lily Lilium michauxii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um miss-SHOW-ee-eye
- Description
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Carolina Lily is a perennial wildflower and is the Official Wildflower of the State of North Carolina. In NC, it is found in dry upland forests, slopes, and ridges in all areas of the state, although it is rare in the coastal plains. The unbranched stem grows 2-4 feet tall with whorled, thick, fleshy leaves. Fragrant orange and yellow speckled flowers with strongly recurved petals occur in summer, and it is the only fragrant native lily east of the Mississippi River. This species is in the American Lily group.
Plant in well-drained moist soil with plenty of organic matter worked into it. It needs partial sun of at least 4-6 hours per day to flower. Protect from rabbits and deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The NC State Extension Publications list includes fact sheets on Narcissus Bulb Fly and Potato Aphid on Ornamental Plants which are both known to frequent this plant.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered 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:
- michauxii
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- VA south to FL and west to TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Swallowtail butterflies pollinate the flowers. Deer and rabbits browse the plant.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is available September-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3-4 inch orange and yellow downward-facing flowers that do not have a central star. The brown speckled petals are strongly recurved and the tips of the petals overlap. Six slender filaments topped by brown anthers protrude from the center of the flower, as does a long style. Flowers occur in groups of 1-3 but can have up to 6 flowers. Blooms July to Aug. and sometimes into Sept.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Whorled, thick, fleshy leaves taper to a blunt point. 3 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide, broadest above the middle. Margins are entire and often wavy. Undersides paler.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- 2-4 feet tall green sturdy stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
