Western lily was federally listed as endangered without critical habitat in 1994 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1994). A recovery plan was published in 1998 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998).

Description and Life History

Western lily is a perennial herb in the lily family (Liliaceae), arising from a rhizomatous bulb. The stems are slender and can reach 60-80 cm (24-32 in) tall. The leaves are dark green, narrowly oblanceolate, 6-22 cm (2.4-8.7 in) long, 5-25 mm (0.2-1 in) wide, and usually only the central leaves are whorled. The flowers are typically one to ten (up to 25) and nodding. The upper part of the flower is crimson or deep red and the lower part orange, yellow, or greenish yellow, sometimes shading to green in the throat, with maroon (dark red, purplish black) spots. The seeds are rounded and measure 6-7 mm (0.24-0.28 in) wide. Flowering typically occurs from mid-June to early August.

Western lily may be distinguished from other lilies by its wet coastal habitat, true bulb, lack of fragrance, nodding flowers, and flower color.

Habitat

Western lily typically occurs on the edges of bogs near the ocean. These bogs are composed of poorly drained, highly organic soils (Blacklock) of Sphagnum origin. Associated plant species include sundews (Drosera spp.), Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum), evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), and red alder (Alnus rubra).

Reasons for Decline

Agriculture (pasture and cranberry bogs) and infrastructure projects (roads, campgrounds, and utilities), and succession have contributed to the decline of this species. Since this plant is apparently exploited by collectors, care should be taken to safeguard locality information.

Range

This species has been reported from sites in a narrow band along the Pacific Coast no more than four miles inland from Coos County, Oregon, south to Humbolt County, California. In Oregon, the plant occurs on State of Oregon, Bureau of Land Management, and private lands.

References and Links

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. Determination of Endangered Status for Lilium Occidentale (Western Lily). Federal Register 59:42171-42176. https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/frdocs/1994/94-20162.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Recovery Plan for the Endangered Western lily (Lilium occidentale). Portland, Oregon. 82 pp. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plans/1998/980331b.pdf