''Lilium philadelphicum'', also known as the wood lily, Philadelphia lily, prairie lily, or western red lily, is a perennial species of

lily ''Lilium'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. They are the true lilies. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. M ...

native to North America.

Distribution

The plant is widely distributed in much of Canada from British Columbia to Quebec, and parts of the United States ( Northeast and Great Lakes regions plus the

Rocky ''Rocky'' is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the first installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise and stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burges ...

and

Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. They ...

Description

''Lilium philadelphicum'' grows to a height of approximately 30 to 90 centimeters. It produces red or orange blooms between June and August.

Varieties

*''Lilium philadelphicum'' var. ''andinum''—western wood lily, native to

Midwestern U.S. The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of the United States. I ...

, Great Plains, and

Western U.S. The Western United States (also called the American West, the Far West, and the West) is the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. As American settlement in the U.S. expanded westward, the meaning of the term ''the Wes ...

regions. It is the floral emblem of the province of Saskatchewan in Canada, and is on the

flag of Saskatchewan The provincial flag of Saskatchewan was adopted in 1969. It is blazoned '' per fess vert and or, in the fly a prairie lily slipped and leaved proper, in the dexter chief an escutcheon of the coat of arms of Saskatchewan fimbriated argent''. The ...

., designated in 1941.

Conservation

''Lilium philadelphicum'' is listed as an endangered species in Maryland, New Mexico, Tennessee and North Carolina. Its status is a

threatened species Threatened species are any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of '' critical depens ...

in Kentucky and Ohio. As the Saskatchewan provincial floral emblem, it is protected under the Provincial Emblems and Honours Act, and cannot be picked, uprooted or destroyed in any manner.

Toxicity

Cats The cat (''Felis catus'') is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from the wild members of t ...

are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal. 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. Rapid treatment with

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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.Lily Poisoning in Cats
Pet MD.

Traditional uses

The bulbs were eaten by some Native Americans.

Gallery

File:Lilium philadelphicum 5497349.jpg, Flower with foliage File:Lilium philadelphicum 5473586.jpg, Side view of flower File:Lilium philadelphicum 5473587.jpg, Immature flower File:Rare Yellow Wood Lily (30603573588).jpg, Rare yellow form in Logan County, North Dakota, USA File:20-01-001-callaway.jpg, Exhibit at Callaway Gardens

References

External links

University of Michigan at Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany of ''Lilium philadelphicum''
philadelphicum Flora of Canada Flora of the Northeastern United States Flora of the North-Central United States Flora of the Northern United States Flora of the United States Flora of the South-Central United States Flora of the Southeastern United States Flora of the Appalachian Mountains Flora of the Great Lakes region (North America) Flora of the Rocky Mountains Plants used in traditional Native American medicine Plants described in 1762 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Endangered flora of the United States Provincial symbols of Saskatchewan Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{liliales-stub