Western Wood Lily

Western wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum) is a showy perennial in the lily family (Liliaceae). It blooms in montane meadows and open forests in Banff National Park; upright orange-red flowers with recurved petals in summer.

Identification: Perennial (30–90 cm); whorled, lance-shaped leaves; solitary or few upright, six-petaled orange-red flowers (5–8 cm) with dark spots and recurved petals. Stems and leaves may be hairy.

Habitat: Montane (1,350–1,650 m); meadows, open forests, and forest edges. Often with prairie crocus, common harebell, and wild rose. Blooms June to August.

Conservation: Sensitive to picking and trampling; bulbs are shallow and easily damaged. Do not pick; Parks Canada prohibits collection. Leave flowers for pollinators and seed production.