Lilium michauxii aka Carolina Lily

Lilium michauxii, the Carolina lily, belongs to the lily family. This bulb-forming perennial grows wild from West Virginia to eastern Texas. Its range also reaches Florida. It is North Carolina's official state wildflower. There, it grows in dry upland woods, on slopes, and along ridges. It occurs across the state but is scarce near the coast. Its name honors the French botanist André Michaux.

Plants grow slowly and stand 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 metres) tall. Each sturdy green stem grows upright without branches. Thick, fleshy green leaves form whorls around the stem. Some leaves grow in an alternate pattern. The leaves reach about 0.25 feet (0.08 metres) long. They widen above the middle, then narrow to blunt tips. Their edges lack teeth but may have waves. The lower leaf surface is paler than the upper side.

The scented flowers face down and bloom from July through August. Some plants keep flowering into September. Each stem bears one to three flowers, though six may occur. Orange and yellow petals carry brown spots and curl sharply backward. Their tips overlap, and the flower lacks a central star. Six thin filaments with brown anthers extend from the center. A long style also projects from the flower. Swallowtail butterflies pollinate the blooms. The fruit forms a capsule and appears in September and October.

In gardens, give this lily moist soil that drains well. Work plenty of organic matter into the planting site. It needs partial sun, with four to six hours for flowering. North Carolina Extension lists hardiness in USDA zones 6–9. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a colder range of zones 4–8. Plant it in borders or groups in native gardens. It also suits woodland settings, naturalized areas, and butterfly gardens. Its summer flowers offer scent as well as color. The plant needs a moderate level of upkeep.

Deer and rabbits browse the stems and leaves. Voles eat the bulbs, so these animals can damage plantings. Narcissus bulb fly and aphids are possible insect pests. The aphids include tulip aphid and potato aphid. Other listed problems include bulb mites, slugs, and snails. North Carolina Extension flags this lily as harmful to cats. It lists dogs and horses as unaffected by toxicity.