Fun Facts About the Michigan Lily

What is a True Lily?

• The bulb is the distinguishing characteristic of a true lily, as it consists of fleshy scales with no protective outer coating. True lilies are never dormant and can be treated as a perennial plant. Lily flowers have six sepals and six anthers, or stamen ends. The Michigan lily has a yellow-colored bulb that can produce offsets and bulblets.

Native Michigan Lilies

• Michigan lilies are native to northern and central North America and Canada. These plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and have bright orange flowers in June, July and August. The flower is easily identified, because it has petals that curve backwards with dark spots on the inner surface. The Michigan lily is the only native lily with fully recurved petals. In the wild, these lilies generally grow in wetlands or former prairie sites.

Cultivating Michigan Lilies

• Michigan lilies can be grown successfully in home gardens and look wonderful in cottage garden borders. You should buy the plants from reputable growers and not be tempted to dig up wild plants. For optimum growth, try to recreate the plants' natural habitat by enriching soil with leaf mold to create a slightly acidic loam. Although Michigan lilies tolerate full sun, they prefer partially-shaded conditions and need damp soil conditions with the bottom part of the plant in full shade.

Endangered or Threatened Species

• The Michigan lily is an endangered species in New York State and only occurs naturally in Monroe and Jefferson Counties. In the state of Tennessee, it only occurs in Anderson County, where it is classified as a threatened species.