Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Lilium pardalinum Kellogg

Leopard lily, Tiger lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: LIPA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is an extremely variable, colony-forming lily, spreading by creeping, rhizomatous bulbs. Considered charming and graceful, the stout stems are 3-6 ft. high with whorls of pale- to deep-green, narrow leaves. Each stem bears one to several nodding, yellow, orange or red, maroon-spotted flowers at its apex.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges & Sierra Nevadas to s. OR
Native Habitat: Conifer stream banks & springy places; up to 6000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Deep, loose, moist, but well-drained, soils.
Conditions Comments: This lily is considered the easiest of the native Pacific Coast lilies to grow and maintain. It is disease resistant and widely available.

Benefit

Use Food: Bulbs consumed by indigenous peoples.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Increase using bulb scales or offsets or seed. Sow outdoors in summer for germination the following spring. Seedlings take 4-5 years to flower; bulb divisions take 2 years. In early spring, divide the 1/2 in. scales and entire bulblets from mature bulb
Seed Collection: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

Bibliography

Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lilium pardalinum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lilium pardalinum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lilium pardalinum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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