Turk's-Cap Lily
Lilium superbum
- Native to:
- United States
Original uploader was Arx Fortis (en.wikipedia.org) at en.wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Genus:
- Lilium
- Species:
- Lilium superbum
- USDA Symbol:
- LISU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- orange, red, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), yellow borer moth (Papaipema cerina)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies, swallowtails
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers wet meadows and stream banks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit hypogeal germination; a warm period followed by cold stratification may improve emergence. Bulb scales can also be propagated vegetatively.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. If seed does not germinate within 3 months, try 4°C for 1-2 months, then 20°C again. * 4 months warm, then 4 months cold