Lilium philippinense Baker

Philippine Island Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Philippine Lily is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Lily family (Liliaceae). It is native to Taiwan and the northern Philippines. In Alabama it has been documented as an escape from throughout the state. Philippine Lily occurs on roadsides, around old home sites, on vacant lots, along railroads, and in other disturbed areas. It is a perennial from a scaley bulb. The stems are erect, up to 7 feet in height, unbranched, green in color, and glabrous. The stems are leafy throughout. Leaves are basal and cauline, though basal leaves may have withered by flowering. The leaves are alternate, sessile, linear in outline, entire, and glabrous. They are reduced in size upwards, with the lower leaves horizontal or spreading and the upper more appressed. Flowers are produced terminally, either solitary or in racemes of 3-9. Individual flowers are funnelform, slightly nodding, white in color, and fragrant. Each flower has 6 tepals 18-25 cm in length. The tepals may have a greenish-yellow or pinkish flush externally, especially on the main veins and towards the base. The tepal surface is papillose internally near the base on the nectariferous furrow. The fruit is a capsule with numerous disc-shaped papery seed. This species is very similar to the Formosa Lily (L. formosanum A. Wallace), and Easter Lily (L. longiflorum Thunberg) and species determination is often difficult.--A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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