Fifteen out of the twenty genera (table below) of the Lily family, documented in Montana, are represented in this post. This constitutes 24 species taxonomically ordered following the original work of Arthur Cronquist (1947) as organized and edited in Lesica (2012). Both the number of genera and species rank out of the top 10 vascular plant groups for the state. However, these plants dominate swaths of the spring, summer landscape with bold colors, large form and sheer number.
Fifteen of the twenty Lily family genera found in Montana represented in this post
Flora of North America outlines the Lily family nationally as 70 genera of 478 species. Many recent studies have suggested Liliaceae should be reduced in size and scope. Current discussion among botanists are not in total agreement as to how this should be done. Wikipedia has a good overview of the evolving taxonomy of this family.
The purpose of this post is introduce you to the large and colorful flowers of these native wildflowers. Many cultivated flowers or ornamentals originate from this family. The photo gallery below has a single image representative (in reverse order from the table above) of each genera. In some cases additional media content is hyperlinked by genus via the table above.
Zigadenus venenosus - Meadow Death Camas
This wildflower grows to sixteen inch height. Atop the stem is a yellowish white raceme. Leaves mostly basal and resemble blades of grass. Habitat usually grassland or shrubsteppe.
Xerophyllum tenax - Beargrass
This wildflower can be as much as four feet tall. At the base of this plant are grass-like leaves in the form of a tussock. A hemispheric raceme is at the end of the stem consisting of many white colored tepals.
Veratrum viride - American False Hellebore
This wildflower is tree-like, height between three and six feet. Leaves very large also measuring five to fourteen inches in length. Bottlebrush inflorescences as branches have many greenish flowers.
Triteleia grandiflora - Large-flower Triteleia
This wildflower has basal leaves and numerous blue tubular flowers at end of 28" long scape. Source of growth from a corm in grassland or open forest habitat.
Trillium ovatum - Western Trillium
This is a common wildflower in western Montana of conifer forest. Has three distinct broad ovate leaves all attached at same stem point forming a star shape. Star-shaped flower similarly has three white petals that age pink. Plant maxes out at 16" height.
Streptopus amplexifolius - Clasping Twisted-stalk
This wildflower is bush-like in size, approaches 40" in height. Several branches off main stem bear 5" long leaves. Several solitary yellow-green flowers hang from twisted peduncles (hence the name) of leaf axils.
Stenanthium occidentale - Western Featherbells
This is a tall, lanky wildflower featuring up to 20 hanging, bell-shaped yellow-green to purplish colored flowers. Narrow leaves are basal. Found growing in moist soil conditions of conifer forests.
Smilacina racemosa - False Solomon's-seal
This wildflower could be described as big and bushy. It measures two to three feet tall, though the stems are usually bent downward. The six inch long leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. Flowers located at end of stem in a dense panicle of real small white flowers.
Prosartes trachycarpa - Rough-fruited Fairybells
This tall (1-3'), bushy wildflower grows in moist spots in forested habitat. The flowers are off-white, bell-shaped and nodding in form.
Fritillaria pudica - Yellowbells
This Lily family member is identified by: single, three-petaled, yellow, nodding flower atop a four to 10 inch long stem. The stem has two to three narrow leaves either at the base or midway.
Erythronium grandiflorum - Glacier Lily
This wildflower has two slender vertical leaves approaching eight inch length. A central scape has one to two nodding, yellow, star-shaped flowers at the terminal end. Grows in open forest habitat.
Clintonia uniflora - Queencup Beadlily
This wildflower identified by a) white star-shaped flower at end of 6 inch scape and b) 3 basal leaves obovate in shape, Develops a blue fruit, ergo name.
Camassia quamash - Camas
This is a tall wildflower ranging between 6 and 24" in height. Narrow leaves restricted to base of stem. Flower tepals measure about an inch in length. Prefers moist to wet soil conditions.
Calochortus elegans - Elegant Mariposa Lily
This is one of seven species of this genus. It has a narrow distribution, found along the west central border of Montana with Idaho. Note the purplish tinted white flowers with extensive hairs on interior. Plant approaches 10" height.
Allium cernuum - Nodding Onion
This is one of seven species for this genus in western Montana. This wildflower is very grass-like in form; grows 6 to 20 inches tall. The habitat for this species is grassland and woodland from the valley floor to subalpine elevations.
Reference
Lesica, P. (2012). Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, Texas: Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
