LILIACEAE

LILY FAMILY

Dale W. McNeal, except as specified

Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food; some TOXIC. Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.

LILIUM

LILY

Mark W. Skinner

Perennial from bulb-like, scaly rhizomes (called bulbs), generally not clonal, ± glabrous
Stem erect
Leaves ± whorled (often some scattered), sessile, generally ± elliptic; veins generally 3; stipule 0
Inflorescence: flowers axillary, 1–40+; bracts generally 2 per flower
Flower generally radial, generally bell- or trumpet-shaped; perianth segments 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, outer generally ± clawed, generally red-purple-spotted on inner base; stamens 6, anthers attached near middle (measures are after dehiscence); style 1, stigma 3-lobed
Fruit: capsule, erect, generally ± smooth, loculicidal
Seeds many, flat, in 6 stacks
Species in genus: ± 90 species: n temp, tropical mtns of e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: lily)
Reference: [Skinner 1988 PhD Harvard Univ]
Variable; hybridization common. Many species declining from habitat destruction and collecting; few thrive in gardens. Generally flowers May to Aug.

Native

L. pardalinum Kellogg

Plant < 3 m, ± clonal; bulb horizontal, rhizome-like, often branched, scales (0)2–4-segmented, longest 10–33 mm
Leaves scattered or in 1–8 whorls, 4–27 cm, generally ± elliptic; margin generally not wavy
Inflorescence: flowers 1–35, pendent
Flower ± widely bell-shaped, generally not fragrant; perianth segments 3–11 cm, 60–75% strongly recurved, generally ± 2-toned, inner surface generally pale orange to red on distal 25–60%, lighter near base, maroon spots near tip margined yellow or orange; stamens >> perianth, filaments spreading ± widely, anthers 6–17 mm, ± magenta to orange or yellow, becoming darker, pollen red-brown to yellow, becoming lighter; pistil 3–8 cm
Fruit 2–6 cm
Chromosomes: 2n=24
Ecology: Moist places, streambanks, along coast
Elevation: < 2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Intergrading complex.

Native

subsp. vollmeri (Eastw.) M.W. Skinner

VOLLMER'S LILY

Weakly clonal; bulb scales 1–2-segmented
Leaves whorled (or scattered especially in small plants), ± linear
Flower: perianth segments 5–9 cm, 2-toned, tips darker; anthers 6–14 mm, magenta or purple, pollen red-orange or orange; pistil 3–6 cm
Fruit 2.5–5 cm
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Bogs, streams, springs
Elevation: 150–1300 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Synonyms: L. v. Eastw
Forms hybrid swarms with subsp. wigginsii in w Siskiyou Co. Plants in deep shade generally have wider leaves, are much like subsp. pardalinum
Horticultural information: WET or IRR, DRN, SHD: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17; DFCLT.