Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily): Minnesota Wildflowers

Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:	Lilium
Family:	Liliaceae (Lily)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part shade, sun; moist fields, bogs, along shores, edges of woods
Bloom season:	June - August
Plant height:	3 to 6 feet
County distribution (click map to enlarge):
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

1 to 8 nodding flowers in a whorl at the top of the plant, each flower at the end of a long naked stalk. Flowers are 2½ to 3 inches across with 6 petal-like tepals that are pale to deep reddish orange fading to more yellowish at the base, with many purplish brown spots. Tepals strongly curve back towards the flower base. 6 long brown-tipped stamens and a long whitish style extend from the flower throat and flare out. The tips of the stamens (anthers) are up to ½ inch long.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are blade-like, up to 5 inches long and ¾ to 1 inch wide, tapering to a point at the tip, with obvious parallel veins. They whorl around the stem in groups of 5 to 9, but there are usually smaller leaves alternately attached at the top of the stem. The main stem is round and smooth.

Notes:

Michigan Lily is often mistaken for (or mistakenly called) Turk's-cap Lily (Lilium superbum) but there are apparently subtle differences between them. L. superbum is not native to Minnesota, but is found farther south and east. Michigan Lily flowers resemble those of Tiger Lily (L. lancifolium) but the leaves are distinctly different and Tiger Lily has distinctive bulbets in the leaf axils. While Michigan Lily plants are often found singly in the wild, it can produce dense stands under cultivation though many gardeners find it has difficulty persisting over time. For what reason is not clear, populations can collapse within a few seasons and may help explain the randomness of this species in the wild.

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in a private garden in Lino Lakes, and elsewhere in Anoka County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Loren in Miltona
on: 2009-07-18 15:38:57

Seen in tall grass along side gravel road.

Posted by: Karen in Minnetonka
on: 2009-07-21 10:29:58

Seen in a wooded area. I've never seen this flower in the wild and thought someone purposely planted it there til I did this search.

Posted by: Linda
on: 2009-07-29 18:27:08

Along Cannon River Trail, near archeological site. 1st time I have seen this plant in wild. There were a seven or more plants spread over a small area along the river side of the trail -- in full bloom (Jul 29 09)

Posted by: Nancy in Rice, MN, Little Rock Lake
on: 2010-04-16 18:25:22

This is a recommended plant for lake shore lines. I have more to plant now. they come from a farm yard where my friend lives

Posted by: M. Bartz in Southern Carlton County
on: 2010-05-23 08:47:05

Growing up I always new this flower by the name Wild Tiger Lily. Still to this day I have trouble calling it anything else, even though most people call it Mighigan Lily or Turk's Cap Lily (even though Turk's cap is a different species). Everytime I see this plant in the summer my heart jumps. Still to this day it may have to be my favorite flower. I think it maybe because these flowers bloomed on or around my birthday, so every year my dad would go out wandering and pick me a big bouquet of these lilies for my birthday.

Posted by: D. Keller in Nerstrand Big Woods
on: 2010-07-06 09:51:22

We were trudging along the trails in Nerstrand Big Woods near Northfield, MN on a hot humid July 5th, swatting a zillion mosquitos off of our faces and necks. Then we spotted a single exotic looking orange lily, downward facing, with it's long stamens dangling like a chandelier. We captured a dozen photographs and were satisfied to cut the hike short. A beautiful flower!

Posted by: Cassandra in Farmington
on: 2010-07-23 08:19:16

I didn't know this was a wildflower. I've seen this in a backyard in Farmington -- it is part of their garden.

Posted by: Terri in Olmsted county
on: 2011-07-10 16:08:47

On the Douglas Bike Trail, between Rochester, and Pine Island, MN - my husband spotted 1 plant along the bike trail --- has photos! :)

Posted by: Phil in Mcloed County
on: 2011-07-13 17:20:14

Found 5-10 plants in Sunrise Park, Lester Prairie. I have been a 5 year regular to the park and have never seen them before. They are very cool.

Posted by: G Odness in LaPorte beside highway 32
on: 2011-07-19 17:39:31

There were 10-20 plants within about 1/2 mile, but that was all I could find.

Posted by: John in Bemidji
on: 2011-07-20 12:46:08

Maybe 100 of these in the ditch along a gravel road south of Bemidji.