Lilium occidentale

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Ordo: Liliales

Familia: Liliaceae
Subfamilia: Lilioideae
Genus: Lilium
Sectio: L. sect. Pseudolirium
Species: Lilium occidentale
Name

Lilium occidentale Purdy, Erythea 5: 103 (1897).
Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Northern America
Regional: Southwestern USA
California, Oregon

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Purdy, C.E., 1897. Erythea; a Journal of Botany. 5: 103

Additional references

Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.) 2002. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Volume 26: Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. 723 pp. Oxford University Press, New York / Oxford, ISBN 0-19-515208-5. efloras Reference page.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2022. Lilium occidentale in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2022 August 01. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2022. Lilium occidentale. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2022. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2022 August 01. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2022. Lilium occidentale. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 01 August 2022.
International Plant Names Index. 2022. Lilium occidentale. Published online. Accessed: August 01 2022.

Vernacular names
العربية: زنبق غربي
English: western lily

Lilium occidentale is a rare North American species of lily known by the common name western lily. Its species name 'Occidentale' means 'westernmost' and refers to its location along the West Coast. It is native to northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.[1][2][3] It grows in coastal prairie habitat, swamps and stagnant bogs with Drosera species, bluffs and sandy cliffs, and seaside spruce forests. This rare wildflower is limited in distribution and directly endangered by a number of environmental factors. It is a federally listed endangered species and it is listed as endangered by the states of California and Oregon.

It is found growing along a narrow 200 mile stretch of coast between Southern Oregon and Northern California usually within sight of the ocean. Its furthest northern distribution is Florence, Oregon to as far south as Eureka, California.

Description

Lilium occidentale is a perennial herb sometimes exceeding two meters in height. It grows from a scaly, elongated bulb which may be nearly 10 centimeters long. The leaves grow in a series of whorls around the stem. They may be linear to oval in shape and over 20 centimeters long. The inflorescence bears up to 35 showy nodding lily flowers. The flower has 6 recurved tepals each up to 8 centimeters long, sometimes curled back into complete rings. The tepals are usually red to orange to yellow-green, generally bicolored with more red on the inside and more greenish yellow on the outer surfaces. They are often spotted. There are six stamens with large red anthers up to 1.4 centimeters long, and a pistil which may be more than 5 centimeters in length. The flower is pollinated chiefly by hummingbirds, including Allen's hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin).[4]

Lilium occidentale produces more nectar than any other American lily, which is not surprising given that hummingbirds are the primary pollinator.
Conservation

Threats to this species have included grazing and trampling by livestock, development and ranching, cranberry farming, genetic drift, vehicles and road maintenance, and horticultural collecting of the bulbs and flowers. New sprouts and shoots dry out quickly and are easily crushed. The invasion of trees into the plant's habitat, either by natural succession or deliberate planting and fire suppression, can alter the hydrology and soil structure enough to eliminate it.[1] When the plant was listed as an endangered species in 1994, there were 2000 to 3000 individuals remaining.[5]
Cultivation

Lilium occidentale grows easily from seed with stratification. It can be easily grown in an artificial type bog or other wetland setting providing its need for constant moisture during the growing season is met. (McRae). There is considerable hybridization with other native lilies, in particular L. columbianum, in areas where the two species grow in close proximity. At some locations the two species grow side by side, with L. occidentale growing in low depressions (drainage ditches) that are clearly flooded during wet periods or periods of heavy rain, and L. columbianum growing just feet away on the steeper slope.(McRae). This leads to confusion with regards to "true" phenotype.

Regardless of its relative ease of culture, Lilium occidentale is a federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act and C.I.T.E.S (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and therefore it is illegal to own or process any plant material (seed, bulbs, leaves, ETC), or sell seed or bulbs without proper documentation and approval of U.S. Fish & Wildlife. Violators face prosecution and a possible felony conviction for possession of undocumented plant material.
Toxicity
Cats

Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal;[6][7][8] households and gardens which are visited by cats are strongly advised against keeping this plant or placing dried flowers where a cat may brush against them and become dusted with pollen which they then consume while cleaning. Suspected cases require urgent veterinary attention.[9] Rapid treatment with activated charcoal and/or induced vomiting can reduce the amount of toxin absorbed (this is time-sensitive so in some cases vets may advise doing it at home), and large amounts of fluid by IV can reduce damage to kidneys to increase the chances of survival.[9]
References

Center for Plant Conservation Archived 2009-08-08 at the Wayback Machine
Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
Calflora taxon report, Lilium occidentale Purdy western lily
Flora of North America
FWS. Determination of Endangered Status for Lilium occidentale. Federal Register August 17, 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions No Lilies For Cats.
Fitzgerald, KT (2010). "Lily toxicity in the cat". Top Companion Anim Med. 25: 213–7. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2010.09.006. PMID 21147474.
Lilies Pet Poison Helpline.
Lily Poisoning in Cats. Pet MD.