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Tiger Lily

Lilium lancifolium

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameTiger Lily

DescriptionSpectacular summer-blooming bulb featuring vibrant orange flowers adorned with dark purple-black spots that resemble a tiger's coat, giving the plant its distinctive name. The 4-6 inch blooms have six gracefully recurved petals (tepals) that curl backward, creating a distinctive Turk's cap shape with prominent stamens extending outward. Unique among lilies for producing small black bulbils in leaf axils that drop and grow into new plants, making it easy to propagate.

FamilyLiliaceae

GenusLilium

TribeLilieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ☿ P3+3 A3+3 G(3)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, 6 free tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (perianth - no distinction between sepals and petals), 6 free stamens in 2 whorls of 3, 3 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features

Name 'Tiger Lily' comes from the distinctive dark purple-black spots on bright orange petals that resemble a tiger's stripes. 'Lancifolium' means lance-shaped leaves in Latin. Also called 'Devil Lily' in some regions, though the origin of this name is unclear
Distinctive downward-facing flowers with six recurved tepals (petals and sepals look identical) that curl dramatically backward, exposing prominent stamens with orange anthers. Each bloom measures 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across with raised purple-black spots called papillae
Bulbous perennial that blooms mid to late summer (July-September). Unique for producing small black bulbils (aerial bulblets) in leaf axils along the stem, which fall to ground and grow into new plants. Does not produce seeds in most cultivated varieties
Grows 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) tall from underground scaly bulbs. Lifespan of 5-10 years or more with proper care. Propagated by bulbils, bulb division, or bulb scales. Each stem can produce 5-20 flowers
Native to eastern Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia. Introduced to North America in late 1800s, now naturalized in eastern United States and Canada. Widely cultivated in temperate regions worldwide
Thrives in full sun to partial shade with 6-8 hours of sunlight. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Moderate water needs - keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Cold hardy to -30°F (-34°C)
Bulbs are edible and considered a delicacy in Asian cuisine, eaten boiled, steamed, or dried. Rich in starch and slightly sweet. Attracts swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant due to toxic compounds in foliage
Excellent cut flower lasting 7-10 days in vase. Pollen can stain clothing and skin - remove anthers before bringing indoors. Virus-resistant unlike many hybrid lilies. Easy care plant suitable for beginners

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificLilium lancifolium

English (Alternate)Devil Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Leopard Lily, Ditch Lily, Pine Lily, Canton, Oregon Lily, Garden Lily

Hindiटाइगर लिली (Tiger Lily), नारंगी बाघ लिली (Nāraṅgī Bāgh Lilī)

Tamilடைக்கர் லில்லி (Tiger Lily), பச்சை மரதாணி (Pachai Marudhani)

Teluguపులి కలువ (Puli kaluva), పులి లలిత (Puli lalitha)

Malayalamകടുവപ്പൂ (Kaduva Pū), പുലിപ്പൂ (Puli Pū)

Kannadaಅಗ್ನಿಶಿಖಾ (Agnishikha)

Sanskritव्याघ्र-पुष्पम् (vyāghra-pushpam)

Bengaliটাইগার লিলি (Tiger Lily), উলটচন্ডাল (Olot Chandol), অগ্নিশিখা (Agnishikha)

Frenchlis tigré, lys tigré

Russianтигровая лилия (tigrovaya liliya)

Spanishlirio atigrado

GermanTigerlilie, Tiger-Lilie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.