'L. humboldtii' (Lilium)

Native to the Sierra Nevada range of central California, this dry land lily can be found in lightly shaded areas of open pine woodland margins at high elevations. A tall species, often reaching 6 feet, it produces highly variable Turk's Cap flowers about the size of a baseball. It is not uncommon to find a colony of 100 or more stems, all with flowers differing from their neighbors.

The orange-brown flowers are covered with quite large, purple-red spots. Probably the most famous colony of Lilium humboldtii is growing in a town cemetery. A difficult lily to cultivate, it will challenge even the most patient gardener. "Cemetery" photo courtesy of Orrel Ballantyne.