Lilium superbum L.

Stout and erect, to 25 dm; principal lvs whorled, the upper alternate; lf-blades lanceolate, tapering to both ends, smooth or slightly rounded-papillose along the margins; fls 1–many, nodding from long, erect or ascending pedicels; tep strongly recurved, lanceolate, 6–9 cm, orange or orange-red, spotted with purple; filaments long-exserted, outcurved distally, the anthers widely separated, mostly 15–25 mm; fl-buds 3-angled; 2n=24. Wet meadows and low ground; Mass. and se. N.H. to Ga. and Ala. July–Sept.

Peaty meadows, swales, wet sands and swampy woods. Gaps and openings in rich woods, swamp edges and bottoms, streamsides, moist meadows and thickets, balds, pine barrens, roadsides; at elevations up to 1,600 metres.

The bulb is eaten cooked and also used to thicken soup.

Plants can be grown by separating the scales of the bulbs. Plants can be grown from seed but these can take 2 years to produce small plants.