Planting and Growing the Wood Lily

The wood lily is native to the United States. It is a member of the lily family of plants. Botanically, it is known by several names such as Lilium philadelphicum, Lilium umbellatum, or Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum.

Wood Lily Description

Growing one to three feet high, this perennial flowering plant has cup-like flowers with a red-orange color and purple spots. Stems are erect and leaves are whorled. Leaves are narrow and long. Bloom season is between July and August. Fruits are pods.

Growing Guide

This plant is not picky as to the lighting it prefers to grow in, as long as there is a dry well drained soil. A humus rich soil is perfect. Propagate by bulb division or by seed. Seed should be planted after collection, six to eight weeks after blooming season. Dividing the bulbs should be done as soon as the plant is dormant.

Distribution

This native is found in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. It is seen in prairies and the deciduous forests.

Herbal Remedy

Bulbs have been used for medicine and food by tribes, cooking them to apply to swelling, bruises, wounds, and sores. They could be made into a tea for coughs, fever, labor pains, and stomach problems.

This is a declining member of the native plant community, once being much more common than it is now. Visitors on mountains typically pick it for arrangements, diminishing the amount of plants seen.

Source: NPIN