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Lilium superbum
Turk's-cap Lily
The Turk's-cap lily or Lilium superbum is capable of reaching
the height of 10 feet. It is thus one of the tallest members of
the Lily (Liliaceae) family. L.superbum is a large and showy
plant usually bearing numerous flowers. As much as 40 flowers have
been counted on just one plant of L. superbum, while a similar
but smaller species, L.michauxii bears only 1 to 6 flowers
per plant.
A green star at the center of the flower is an identifying feature
of the plant. The recurved flower, 2-2.5 inches across, is usually
orange or yellow with brown or sometimes reddish white speckles.
The plant usually flaunts its unique flowers from July till September.
Although the bracts may be alternate, this perennial lily has whorled
leaves. Each of its leaves is lanceolate, i.e., pointed and much
longer than wide and widest below the middle.
L. superbum flourishes in filtered sun or a light shade.
It requires moist meadows, rich woods or marshes for its growth.
Thus, it is sometimes also called the Swamp Lily. Many plants, which
are not true lilies, have flowers that resemble those of this genus,
Lilium. Lilium has alternate or whorled leaves and drooping flowers.
These true lilies have been sometimes used as food as they are deemed
to possess medicinal properties.
Within the Mount Holyoke College Campus, you can see the tall plant
of the Lilium superbum drooping with its orange flowers in
the 1904 Garden.
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