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Wood Lily - Lilium philadelphicum
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Lilium philadelphicum is a large, showy lily that is widespread in Montana though very sporadic in its distribution. Population levels are relatively poorly documented, though the available observation data appears to support statewide popoulation levels of several thousand plants. Whether population levels have been stable or declining is unknown. Some occurrences are adjacent to or near roads, which make them more vulnerable to negative impacts. Livestock grazing occurs within some populations though the magnitude of any impacts is uncertain. Additionally, collecting plants for ornamental use has been observed at some sites. The status of several populations known only from historical collections is uncertain.
Surveys are needed at many of the known occurrences to document the population size and extent, as well as the current condition of the sites. Additional surveys in areas of potentially suitable habitat are also needed to determine if other populations exist.
General Description
Stems 20–60 cm. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 3–7 cm long. Flowers 1 to 3; tepals reddish with yellowish and black-spotted bases, elliptic, long-clawed, 5–7 cm long, spreading; stamens barely included. Capsule narrowly ovoid, 2–4 cm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
BC to QC south to ID, NM, IL and GA (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 206
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Forest and Woodland
Montane - Subalpine Forest and Woodland
Wetland and Riparian
Peatland
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Reported threats to Montana's populations of Wood Lily include impacts from livestock grazing and flower gathering by people (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021). Some populations are grazed by livestock, but the scope and severity of impacts are currently unknown. Flower gathering by people negatively impacts populations where the showy inflorescence is easily seen along popular hiking trails.
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication
Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1969. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part I: Vascular Cryptogams, Gymnosperms and Monocotyledons. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. 914 pp.- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Britton, N. L. and A. B. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada, and the British Possessions. 2nd Edition in 3 Volumes. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons. B13BRI01PAUS.
- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
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