Lily Family:-

Lily Family plant table with its Common Name - Botanical Name. Flowering Months Range. Habitat with link to that Wild Flower Habitat Gallery:-

Common Name

Botanical Name

Flowering Months

Habitat

Angular Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum

June-July

A rhizomatous, perennial herb of ancient Fraxinus woods, often growing in crevices and on outcrops of limestone. In N. England it is characteristic of grikes in limestone pavement. Generally lowland, but reaching 485 m on Craig y Cilau (Brecs.).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Asparagus

(Garden Asparagus)

Asparagus officinalis

(Asparagus officinalis subsp. officinalis)

June-August

A dioecious, rhizomatous perennial herb of freely-draining sandy soils. A. officinalis subsp. officinalis readily becomes naturalised, probably mainly by bird-dispersed seed, on grassy heaths and dunes. Lowland.

Flower from Sandwich

Flowers from Sandwich

Berries from Chatham in Kent on 22 September

Form with berries

Autumn Squill

Scilla autumnalis

July-September

A bulbous perennial herb of open, drought-prone grasslands and heathy vegetation in rocky or sandy places near the sea; also on terrace gravels in the lower Thames valley. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Bluebell

(English Bluebell)

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

April-June

A bulbous perennial herb occurring, sometimes abundantly, in a wide variety of deciduous woodlands, in hedgerows, on shady banks and, especially in western and upland areas, in meadows, under Pteridium and on cliffs. It also occurs as a naturalised garden escape. It is sensitive to long-term grazing. Generally lowland, but reaching 685 m on Craig-yr-Ysfa (Caerns.).

Flower from Isle of Wight. Photo by BritishFlora

Flowers from Buckinghamshire. Photo by BritishFlora

Foliage from Buckinghamshire. Photo by BritishFlora

Form from Buckinghamshire. Photo by BritishFlora

Bog Asphodel

Narthecium ossifragum

July-August

A rhizomatous perennial herb of wet, moderately basic to strongly acidic mineral soils and peats, in a wide range of raised, valley and blanket mire communities, and in wet heaths and flushes, especially where there is some water movement. It is intolerant of shade. Although it is slightly toxic, plants in the uplands may be heavily grazed. 0-1005 m (Beinn Heasgarnich, Mid Perth) but reportedly to 1130 m elsewhere in Scotland.

Flower from Swansea Airport on 10 June

Flowers from Waterville

Foliage from Torridon on 26 June

Form from Torridon on 26 June

Butcher's Broom

Ruscus aculeatus

March-April

A dioecious, evergreen, rhizomatous shrub, found as a native in dry woods and hedgerows, and on cliffs and rocky ground near the sea. It is also naturalised in similar situations, and in churchyards and near habitation. It reproduces vegetatively by creeping rhizomes, and by seed, which may be bird-sown. Lowland.

Male Flower at Farningham Wood on 14 February

Female Flower at Boxley in Kent on 14 April

Flowers

Form at Halling in Kent on 21 March

Foliage with Flowers at Halling on 21 March

Foliage with Flowers at Queensdown Warren in Kent

Seed at Burham in Kent on 16 August

Seeds

Common Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum multiflorum

May-June

A rhizomatous perennial herb, native in Fraxinus-Acer campestre woods and thickets over chalk and limestone, and less frequently over non-acidic substrates. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers at triesenberg in Liechenstein on 19 May

Foliage

Form

Flowers at Joydens Wood in June

Flowers

Foliage coming up

Form

Common Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalum umbellatum

(Ornithogalum angustifolium)

May-June

A bulbous perennial herb of rough pasture, dry, grassy banks and open woods. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Fritillary

(Snake's head Fritillary)

Fritillaria meleagris

April-May

A bulbous perennial herb of damp, sometimes winter-flooded, neutral grasslands, usually those managed for hay with aftermath grazing. It is frequently planted in other grassland habitats and sometimes becomes naturalised. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage at Sheffield Park on 20 April

Form at Sheffield Park on 20 April

Grape Hyacinth

Muscari atlanticum

(Muscari neglectum)

April-May

A bulbous perennial herb on free-draining soils, native or long-naturalised in grasslands, hedgerows, pine plantations and rough ground, and on roadsides on a wide range of nutrient-poor soils. It is also a short-lived garden escape or outcast near habitation, on roadsides, allotments and waste ground. Lowland.

Grassland for Muscari neglectum and Gardens for Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Kerry Lily

Simethis planifolia

June-July

A rhizomatous, perennial herb found only in dry, rocky, maritime heath near Derrynane on the coast of S. Kerry and the Beara peninsula, W. Cork. It was formerly naturalised near the coast in S. England. Lowland.

Flower at Darrynane Bay in Kerry on 23 June

Flowers at Darrynane Bay on 23 June

Foliage at Darrynane Bay on 23 June

Form at Darrynane Bay on 23 June

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

May-June

A rhizomatous perennial herb of freely-draining, nutrient-poor soils. It is most frequent in Fraxinus woods on limestone in N. and W. Britain, but also grows in the grikes of limestone pavement, in acidic woods in S.E. England, and in a fen in Cumbria. It is a common garden escape. 0-470 m (Carreg-goch, Brecs.).

Flower at Joydens Wood

Flowers

Foliage at Farningham Wood

Form at Joydens Wood on 28 May

May Lily

Maianthemum bifolium

May-June

A rhizomatous, perennial herb of free-draining acidic soils in Quercus-Betula woodlands, but also persisting at sites replanted with conifers. Flowering and seed-set is poor. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Nodding Star of Bethlehem

(Drooping Star of Bethlehem)

Ornithogalum nutans

April-May

A bulbous perennial herb which occurs as a garden escape in scrub and on woodland edges, in churchyards, hedgerows, on roadsides and in rough grassy places. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Pyrenean Lily

Lilium pyrenaicum

June-July

A bulbous perennial herb of woodlands, wood-borders, hedgerows and roadsides, often occurring as isolated clumps arising from discarded or deliberately planted garden stock. Relatively large, long-established and naturally regenerating populations are known from S.W. England, S. Wales and E. Scotland. 0-365 m (near Llanfair Clydogau, Cards.).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Sea Asparagus

(Wild Asparagus)

Asparagus prostratus

(Asparagus officinalis subsp. prostratus)

June-August

A dioecious, rhizomatous perennial herb of free-draining sea-cliffs and sand dunes. On sea-cliffs, the plants often grow through a dense mat of Festuca rubra, usually in very rocky soils. On dunes, it grows in open or closed turf, often by paths. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Scottish Asphodel

Tofieldia pusilla

June-August

A rhizomatous, perennial herb growing by streams and in calcareous flushes, requiring constant moisture but not waterlogged conditions. Mainly upland, but from near sea level at Durness (W. Sutherland) to 975 m on Ben Lawers (Mid Perth).

Flower at Lochnadamph on 23 June

Flowers at Lochnadamph on 23 June

Foliage at Lochnadamph on 23 June

Form at Lochnadamph on 23 June

Snowdon Lily

Lloydia serotina

May-June

A bulbous perennial herb confined to damp ledges and crevices of mildly acidic rocks, usually on N.- to N.E.-facing cliffs, frequently in shaded sites and often sheltered by overhangs. Seeds are rarely produced and most reproduction is by rhizome-like structures. 550-760 m (Snowdonia, Caerns.).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Spiked Star of Bethlehem

(Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem, Bath Asparagus)

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum

June

A bulbous perennial herb of Fraxinus-Ulmus woodland, hedgerows, road verges and rough grassy banks on calcareous soils, and a particular feature of green lanes on the borders of Somerset and Wiltshire. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Spring Squill

Scilla verna

April-June

A bulbous perennial herb of short turf and maritime heath on exposed cliff-tops and on rocky slopes near the sea, sometimes within the zone regularly affected by sea-water spray. In areas with a pronounced oceanic climate (e.g. Anglesey) it can occur on heathland well inland. Generally lowland, but reaching 415 m in Foula (Shetland).

Flower at East Cliffs on 20 May

Flower at Betty Hill in Sutherland on 25 June

Flower at Kynance Cove in Cornwall on 25 May

Form at Lands End in Cornwall on 26 May

Flowers at East Cliffs on 20 May

Flowers at Betty Hill on 25 June

Foliage at Kynance Cove on 25 May

Form at Lands End on 26 May

Form at East Cliffs on 20 May

Form at Betty Hill on 25 June

Flowers at Lizard on 19 May

Form at Lizard on 19 May

Turkscap Lily

(Martagon Lily)

Lilium martagon

June-July

A bulbous perennial herb, usually occurring in small clumps near woodland edges or in coppiced woodland. It may be abundant in newly coppiced areas. It is also known from less natural sites, including old orchards and derelict gardens. The seeds are wind-dispersed but the bulbs may be carried by jays. Lowland.

Flower at Ospringe in July

Flowers at Ospringe in July

Foliage

Form in Kent

Whorled Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum verticillatum

June-July

A rhizomatous, perennial herb usually found on moist, nutrient-rich, usually basic, soils in wooded gorges and on a wooded river bank. Plants reproduce vegetatively, by rhizomatous spread, but fruiting is generally poor, with recruitment from seed apparently very infrequent. Lowland.

Flowers at Einodsbach in Austria on 15 July

Foliage at Einodsbach on 15 July

Seeds at Einodsbach on 15 July

Form at Einodsbach on 15 July

Wild Tulip

Tulipa sylvestris

(Tulipa sylvestris subsp sylvestris)

April-May

A bulbous perennial herb of open woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, riversides, chalk pits, grassy banks and waste ground. Populations can arise from discarded bulbs, deliberate planting in the wild or as relics of cultivation. Plants often flower poorly and set little seed, but populations can be very long-lived. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Yellow Star of Bethlehem

Gagea lutea

March-May

A bulbous perennial herb of moist, base-rich, shady habitats including woods, hedgerows, limestone pavements, pastures, riverbanks and stream banks; sometimes washed down on alluvium in riverine woodland subject to seasonal flooding. Mainly lowland, but to 340 m near Ribblehead (Mid-W. Yorks.).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form