Turk's-cap Lily
Lilium superbum Linnaeus
Turk's-cap Lily: https://marylandbiodiversity.com/species/1791
Synonyms
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272 Records

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Status

Turk's-cap Lily is native to eastern North America. Look for it in wet meadows and along streams, especially in the mountains and the Eastern Shore, in our region (J. Hill/MNPS).

Description

The tallest and most spectacular of the American lilies, generally reaching 4-6'. The sepals and petals are strongly swept back (reflexed). The petals are spotted with purple. Inside the flower, green streaks at the base of each petal form a central star, which distinguishes this species from escaped, cultivated, Asiatic "tigerlilies." The stamens of Turk's-cap project from the flower, and the anthers are long, dark, and conspicuous. The flowers are arranged in a loose inflorescence atop an upright stem. They bloom early to mid-summer. The leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem (J. Hill/MNPS). Compare non-native Tiger Lily.

Seasonality Snapshot

Resources

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Source: Wikipedia

Lilium superbum
Lilium superbum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Lilioideae
Tribe: Lilieae
Genus: Lilium
Species:
L. superbum
Binomial name
Lilium superbum
L. 1753 not Thunb. 1784
Synonyms[2]
  • Lilium fortunofulgidum Roane & J.N.Henry
  • Lilium gazarubrum Roane & J.N.Henry
  • Lilium mary-henryae Roane & J.N.Henry

Lilium superbum is a species of true lily native to the eastern and central regions of North America.[3][4][5] Common names include Turk's cap lily,[3] turban lily,[4] swamp lily,[6] lily royal,[6] or American tiger lily.[citation needed] The native range of the species extends from southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York, west to Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, and south to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.[3][7]

Description

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Lilium superbum grows from 3–7 feet (0.91–2.13 m) high with typically three to seven blooms, but exceptional specimens have been observed with up to 40 flowers on each stem.[4] It is capable of growing in wet conditions.[8] It is fairly variable in size, form, and color.[4] The color is known to range from a deep yellow to orange to a reddish-orange "flame" coloring with reddish petal tips.[4] The flowers have a green star at their center that can be used to distinguish L. superbum from the Asiatic "tigerlilies" that frequently escape from cultivation.[5] It grows in swamps, woods, and wet meadows.[9]

Uses

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The roots were a food source for Native Americans, and the flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and larger insects.[10]

Status

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It is listed as endangered in Florida, New Hampshire, Alberta and Saskatchewan and threatened in Kentucky, and exploitably vulnerable in New York.[3]

Etymology

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The Turk's cap common name is derived from the reflexed shape of the flower petals, which presumably resemble a type of hat worn by early Turkish people.[9]

Toxicity

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Cats

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Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal;[11][12][13] households and gardens that are visited by cats are strongly advised against keeping this plant or placing dried flowers where a cat may brush against them and become dusted with pollen that they then consume while cleaning. Suspected cases require urgent veterinary attention.[14] Rapid treatment with activated charcoal and/or induced vomiting can reduce the amount of toxin absorbed (this is time-sensitive so in some cases vets may advise doing it at home), and large amounts of fluid by IV can reduce damage to kidneys to increase the chances of survival.[14]

Traditional uses

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The bulbs were made into soups by some Native Americans.[15]

References

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  1. ^ NatureServe (30 June 2023). "Lilium superbum". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ a b c d United States Department of Agriculture plants profile
  4. ^ a b c d e Blanchan, Neltje (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
  5. ^ a b Connecticut Botanical Society
  6. ^ a b "Lilium superbum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  7. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  8. ^ Synge, Patrick M. Collins Guide to Bulbs. (1961)
  9. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
  10. ^ Hilty, John (2020). "Turk's Cap Lily". Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  11. ^ Frequently Asked Questions No Lilies For Cats.
  12. ^ Fitzgerald, KT (2010). "Lily toxicity in the cat". Top Companion Anim Med. 25 (4): 213–7. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2010.09.006. PMID 21147474.
  13. ^ Pearson, Dan (21 July 2013). "Turk's cap lily is pure delight". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  14. ^ a b Morrison, Barri J. (30 September 2022). "Lily Poisoning in Cats". Pet MD. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  15. ^ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 603. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.
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