Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Lilium columbianum is a lily native to western North America. It is also known as the Columbia Lily or Tiger Lily (sharing the latter common name with several other species in its genus). It occurs in open woods and forest openings from southern British Columbia in Canada south to northern California and east to Idaho and Nevada in the USA. It grows up to 1.2 meter tall, and bears from few to many orange flowers with darker spots. The petals are 3 to 6 centimeter long and the flowers are lightly scented. Like many true lilies, the leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem of the plant.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, Orange

Flowering season

Summer

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers moist, fertile soil with good drainage.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Sow outdoors in summer for germination the following spring, or 3-6 mos. warm then 2-3 mos. cold stratification. For forcing slightly green or fresh seeds: 6-8 wks. warm (70°F) stratification or until the majority of seeds have formed bulblets; then 4-6 wks. cold (about 35°FJ stratification; sow, and at 55 to 60°F leaves should be produced in 4-6 wks. (De Graaff 1951).

Sunset Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Site type

Dry places

Plant communities

Northern Coastal Scrub, Forest

Hummingbirds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Virginian Tiger Moth

Spilosoma virginica