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Michigan lily

Also known as: prairie lily

Lilium michiganense Farw.

[=Lilium canadense L. subsp. michiganense (Farw.) B. Boivin & Cody ]

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Michigan lily
Michigan lily leaves
Michigan lily leaves

Morphology

Stem
Erect, simple.
Leaves
Cauline, mostly whorled, 3-12 per node, sometimes 1-2 at distal nodes, sessile; simple; parallel-veined; blades lanceolate to elliptic, 1.6 to 6 inches long, .24 to .8 inch wide, margins entire.
Inflorescence
Terminal, racemose, 1-10-flowered.
Flower
Pedicels spreading, ascending, or erect, 4.2 to 8 inches. Flowers usually nodding; tepals 6, orange to reddish orange or yellowish orange, usually purple- or brown-spotted, petal-like, lanceolate, 2 to 3.6 inches long, .5 to .8 inch wide, strongly reflexed; stamens 6, distinct, prominently exserted; pistil 1; stigma 3-lobed.
Fruit
Capsules, subcylindric to ovoid, 1.2 to 2 inches long, .6 to 1.2 inch wide; seeds brown, flat, .25 to .4 inch.

Ecology

Habitat
Mesic tallgrass prairies and oak-hickory woodlands.
Distribution
East 1/5 of Kansas

Additional Notes

Comments

Plants from bulbs. A horizontal rhizome produced annually as an offshoot of the bulb terminates in a new bulb, allowing plants to form colonies.

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.

Scientific Name: Lilium canadense

Full Citation: Lilium canadense L.


Subspecies/Varieties:

  • subsp. michiganense B. Boivin & Cody
Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Liliaceae - Lily Family
Life Span
Perennial
Height
28-80 inches
Origin
Native
Last Updated
2025-06-04
Color Groups
Pink, Red & Orange Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: June, July