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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Coreopsis tripteris leaves and flowers
Lilium superbum Form in bloom
Viola canadensis Viola canadensis
Lilium michauxii has some common insect problems:
Bulb Mites
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Lilium michauxii has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Carolina Lily Lilium michauxii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
LIL-ee-um miss-SHOW-ee-eye
Description

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:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#orange flowers#NC native#deer browsing plant#speckled#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#butterfly friendly#food source roots#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#rabbit browsing plant#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#orange flowers#NC native#deer browsing plant#speckled#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#butterfly friendly#food source roots#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#Audubon#rabbit browsing plant#wildflower
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is available September-October.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    2-4 feet tall green sturdy stems
  • 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