Lilium martagon is a tall, uncommon and distinctive species, often occurring in shady woodland where other flowering plants are absent. It is believed to be native in some areas, such as the lower Wye valley along the border between England and Wales, but is introduced in other places. The best place to see this plant is Lippets Grove Nature Reserve
Common name:
Martagon lily
Family:
Scientific name:
Lilium martagon
Main flower color:
Range:
Scattered places in England and Wales; probably native in some locations, otherwise naturalised
Height:
Up to 150 cm
Habitat:
Woodland margins, shady hedgerows, scrub, often on calcareous soils
Flowers:
Relatively large, up to 5 cm in diameter, with six thick lobes, strongly recurved, coloured reddish pink, flecked with darker purple spots. Pendent when mature, arranged in vertical spikes of up to ten. From the centre project six stamens, with greenish-yellow filaments and thick, orange-red anthers, and a longer style, reddish towards the tip
Leaves:
Ovate to lanceolate, strongly veined, up to 15 cm long, in whorls of between five and ten along the hairless stem, plus a few alternate leaves towards the top
Season:
June to July
Rarity:
★★★★★
