Lilium superbum
| Turk's cap lily | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lilium superbum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Lilium |
| Species: | L. superbum |
| Binomial name | |
| Lilium superbum L. 1753 not Thunb. 1784 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Lilium superbum is a species of true lily native to the eastern and central regions of North America.[2][3][4] Common names include Turk's cap lily,[2] turban lily, swamp lily,[5] lily royal,[5] or American tiger lily.[3] The native range of the species extends from New Hampshire south to the Florida Panhandle, west to Missouri and Arkansas, and all the way north to Alberta.[2][6]
Description
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.[3] It is capable of growing in wet conditions.[7] It is fairly variable in size, form, and color.[3] The color is known to range from a deep yellow to orange to a reddish-orange "flame" coloring with reddish petal tips.[3] 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.[4]
Uses
The roots were a food source for Native Americans, and the flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and larger insects.[8]
Status
It is listed as endangered in Florida, New Hampshire, Alberta and Saskatchewan and threatened in Kentucky, and exploitably vulnerable in New York.[2]
Etymology
The 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
Cats
Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal;[10][11][12] households and gardens which 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 which they then consume while cleaning.[13] 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]
References
- ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- 1 2 3 4 United States Department of Agriculture plants profile
- 1 2 3 4 5 Blanchan, Neltje (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- 1 2 Connecticut Botanical Society
- 1 2 "USDA GRIN Taxonomy". Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ↑ Synge, Patrick M. Collins Guide to Bulbs. (1961)
- ↑ Illinois Wildflowers
- ↑ Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center, University of Texas
- ↑ Frequently Asked Questions No Lilies For Cats.
- ↑ Lily toxicity in the cat. Kevin T. Fitzgerald, PhD, DVM, DABVP.
- ↑ Turk's cap lily is pure delight The Guardian.
- ↑ The Valentine bouquet that killed my cats: Mother's Day warning on lethal lilies Daily Mail.
- 1 2 Lily Poisoning in Cats. Pet MD.
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.
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