Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Lilium kelleyanum is a species of lily known by the common name Kelley's lily. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it grows in moist habitat in forests, such as streambanks. It is a perennial herb known to exceed two meters in height. It originates from a scaly, elongated bulb up to about 8 centimeters long. The oval leaves are located in several whorls about the stem, each up to 15 centimeters in length and drooping at the tip. The flower cluster bears up to 25 large, nodding lily flowers. The flower is bell-shaped with 6 strongly recurved yellow to orange petals up to 6 centimeters in length. There are 6 stamens with large red anthers and a pistil which may be over 3 centimeters in length. The flowers are pollinated by swallowtails.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

4 - 7 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, Orange, Red

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

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

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17

Site type

Hillside seeps, wet thickets and stream edges

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Hummingbirds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Virginian Tiger Moth

Spilosoma virginica