Angiosperms: Monocotyledons

Liliaceae
Lily Family

• Stem: perennial; 4’ to 5’ tall; branched near the top, with long downy hairs on the ridges.
• Leaves: alternate; linear, with clasping bases and sharp tips; 4” to 18” by 3/4”; smooth above and below.
• Inflorescence: several racemes from the stem tip and upper leaf axils, to 10” long; many flowers on each flower stalk; flower stalk with curly hairs.
• Flowers: petals and sepals white, 1/4” long, with narrow base and widening above, two nectar-producing glands near the base of each sepal and petal; ovary 3/16” long, with three curving style branches; flowering from early to mid-July.
• Fruits: capsule, 1/2” long, with three linear lobes; flower parts remain attached and turn green; fruiting begins in late July.
• Habitat: very uncommon on moist prairies; also on mesic prairie.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library