''Lilium superbum'' is a species of true
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 the eastern and central regions of
North America.
[United States Department of Agriculture plants profile]
/ref>
/ref> Common names include Turk's cap lily,[ turban lily,][ swamp lily,][ or American tiger lily. The native range of the species extends from southern ]New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the nor ...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...
, and New York, west to Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...
, Missouri
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...
, and Arkansas
Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the O ...
, and south to Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
, Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
, Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
, and Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
.[
]
Description
''Lilium superbum'' grows from high with typically three to seven blooms, but exceptional specimens have been observed with up to 40 flowers on each stem.[ It is capable of growing in wet conditions. It is fairly variable in size, form, and color.][ The color is known to range from a deep yellow to orange to a reddish-orange "flame" coloring with reddish petal tips.][ 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.][ It grows in swamps, woods, and wet meadows.]
Uses
The roots were a food source for Native Americans, and the flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and larger insects.
Status
It is listed as endangered in Florida, New Hampshire, Alberta and Saskatchewan and threatened in Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...
, and exploitably vulnerable in New York.[
]
Etymology
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
The Turkish people, or simply the Turks ( tr, Türkler), are the world's largest Turkic ethnic group; they speak various dialects of the Turkish language and form a majority in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. In addition, centuries-old ethnic ...
.
Toxicity
Cats
Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subs ...
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.vomiting
Vomiting (also known as emesis and throwing up) is the involuntary, forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose.
Vomiting can be the result of ailments like food poisoning, gastroenteri ...
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](_blank)
Pet MD.
Traditional uses
The bulbs were made into soups by some Native Americans.
References
External links
USDA Plants Profile for ''Lilium superbum'' (turk's-cap lily) Missouri Botanical Garden, Kemper Center for Home Gardening: Turkscap lily (''Lilium superbum'') Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network−NPIN: ''Lilium superbum'' (Turk's-cap lily)
— ''with horticultural info''.
{{Taxonbar, from=Q136882
superbum
Flora of the Eastern United States
Flora of the Northeastern United States
Flora of the Southeastern United States
Flora of the Appalachian Mountains
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Endangered flora of the United States
Flora without expected TNC conservation status