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Cressler, Alan
Lilium catesbaei
Lilium catesbaei Walter
Pine Lily, Southern Red Lily, Catesby's Lily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: lica4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A 2-3 ft. perennial with alternate, narrow, ascending leaves. The single, terminal flower is erect; the petals and similar sepals are curved backward and are orange toward the tip, yellow and purple-spotted toward the base.
Catesby’s Lily is a member of the lily family (family Liliaceae). Lilies are mostly perennial herbs from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms. The family is extremely complex, and botanists estimate 250 genera and 4,000-6,000 species. Many, including tulips and day lilies, are handsome ornamentals. Asparagus, Sarsaparilla, onions, and the medicinally useful Aloe are from the family.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 5 to 6 inches across.
Fruit: 2 inches.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: OrangeBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , VANative Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. VA to s. MS & LA
Native Habitat: Wet pinelands, savannas, coastal plains, & bogs
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Wet, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Likes moist soils. Tolerates flooding in winter.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Valued for brilliant scarlet-orange flowers in late summer.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Description: Propagation is easiest from division of the scaly bulb, which can be dug as soon as the plant goes dormant and the seed is ripe in late summer. Seeds planted just after collection with usually germinate in the fall and overwinter as tiny bulbs, resumingSeed Collection: Collect 6-8 weeks after bloom period when the capsule have turned brown and begun to split. Store seeds moist in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Research Literature
Reslit 2700 - Restoration of Florida pine savanna: Flowering response of Lilium catesbaei to fire and roller-chopping (2000) J. M. Huffman, P. A. WernerReslit 2701 - Microhabitat effects on the distribution, life-state and fecundity of Lilium catesbaei: A fire-adapted perennial of the southeastern Coastal Plain (2004) M. J. Elswick, K. M. Penney, G. A. Fox
Reslit 2702 - Reproductive synchrony in Catesby's lily, Lilium catesbaei (2004) K. M. Penney, G. A. Fox
Reslit 2703 - Inferring microhabitat preferences of Lilium catesbaei (Liliaceae) (2011) K. P. Sommers, M. Elswick, G. I. Herrick, G. A. Fo...
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lilium catesbaei in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lilium catesbaei in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lilium catesbaei
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-16Research By: TWC Staff