Lilium columbianum Leichtlin
tiger lily (Columbia lily)
Liliaceae

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Rosemary Taylor     (Photo ID #20508)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Lilium columbianum
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from an egg-shaped, fleshy-scaled, white bulb 3-5 cm long; stems 40-120 cm tall, sturdy, smooth.
Leaves:
Usually in several whorls of 6 to 9, the upper and lowermost stem leaves often scattered and alternate, lanceolate, 4-10 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, smooth.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of several to many, large, showy, nodding flowers in a terminal raceme; flowers yellow-orange to reddish-orange with dark red or purple spots about the centre, bell-shaped, of 6 similar, distinct tepals, the tepals broadly lanceolate, 4-6 cm long, about 1 cm wide, strongly bent back; stamens 6; pistil 1, 3-chambered.
Fruits:
Capsules, erect, barrel-shaped, sharply 6-angled, 3-5 cm long; seeds numerous, flattened.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Lilium columbianum

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1095 10 2100
Slope Gradient (%)
21 0 150

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

191 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
3 0 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
C
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
1429
Modal BEC Zone Class
ICH

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

BG(3), CDF(9), CWH(62), ESSF(168), ICH(321), IDF(258), MH(8), MS(209), PP(5), SBPS(68), SBS(236)

Habitat and Range

Mesic open forests, roadsides, clearings, thickets and meadows in the lowland and steppe to alpine zones; common throughout S BC south of 54degreeN; S to ID and N CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Lilium canadense var. parviflorum Hook.