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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
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Thursday - December 19, 2013

From: Stuart, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of lily in Florida Savannas Preserve State Park
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I found a lily blooming in the Savannas Preserve State Park in Martin County Florida. It is similar to a Michaux lily but doesn't have apparent spots. The foliage is also different from photos I have seen of the Michaux lily. There is a cluster of plants. I saw only one bloom but have located fruits on two different plants. If anyone is particularly interested in lilies I have some photos.

ANSWER:

There is one native lily, Lilium catesbaei (Pine lily), that grows in Martin County, Florida that resembles the Lilium michauxii (Carolina lily), but with fewer spots, different foliage and the flower is held upright rather than facing down. 

Here are more photos of L. catesbaei from Valdosta University in Georgia.  You can see photos of both L. catesbaei and L. michauxii on the Pacific Bulb Society page.

If this isn't the lily you saw at the Savannas Preserve State Park, please visit our Plant Identification page where you will find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.

 

From the Image Gallery


Pine lily
Lilium catesbaei

Pine lily
Lilium catesbaei

Pine lily
Lilium catesbaei

Carolina lily
Lilium michauxii

Turk's-cap lily
Lilium superbum

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