Wood Lily

Prairie Lily, Western Red Lily

Wood Lilies are a familiar sight on the grasslands and open woodlands of Canada and much of the United States. They flower from June to August with groups of 1-3 bright orange flowers perched on top of tall straight stems (up to 3 ft). The goblet-shaped flowers have 6 petals with purplish-brown spots at their base. Long, slender leaves alternate at the bottom of each stem and circle around it near the top.

The flowers are cross-pollinated by large butterflies (Tiger Swallowtails, Monarch Butterflies, Great Spangled Fritillaries) as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Hummingbird Moths. Deer eat the leaves while voles enjoy eating the corms.

Did you know? Tiger Lilies are a garden plant with similar flowers. However, Tiger Lily flowers dangle while Wood Lily flowers are erect. Tiger Lilies also have small black bulblets where the leaves meet the stem.

See Also: Fawn Lily

Easy - numerous and usually easy to spot in the habitats listed at the appropriate time of year.

Forests are large areas of trees growing close together.

Grasslands are large open areas covered with grasses. They have very few trees or shrubs. This habitat includes prairies and tundra.