Wood Lily -or- Philadelphia Lily -or- Prairie Lily -or- Western Red Lily (Lilium philadelphicum), family Liliaceae (Lily)
Decidedly beautiful and widespread (in many states) this is a bloom to savor with the eyes. The nose, however, is out of luck as this flower has no scent. While it is possible to encounter these lovely lilies in many areas, it's presence in specific areas is challenged in various degrees. The species is critically imperiled as of mid 2015 in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Merely imperiled states are: Wyoming, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Wood Lilies are classed as vulnerable in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, and Vermont. In Delaware they are deemed extinct, and are possibly extinct in DC and Maryland. The majority of states that are home to Wood Lilies have not been ranked. In our view the species should be considered endangered and should NOT be harvested. Some sources of information about the plants withhold mention of the locations where they were found to protect existing populations. We agree with this and mention only the state where our specimens were located.
USES: Wood Lilies have been widely used for food and medicine. Per Wildflower.org, "Many tribes gathered the bulbs of wood lily for food and medicine. The bulbs are said to have an excellent flavour. As well, the abundant, nutritious pollen can be dusted on various dishes. Medicinally, the bulbs were once cooked and then applied to sores, bruises, swellings or wounds. They were also used to make a medicinal tea for treating stomach problems, coughs and fevers and for helping women in labour diliver the afterbirth." Flora of North America adds, "The Cree, Meskwaki, and Blackfoot used Lilium philadelphicum bulbs as food, while other tribes used bulbs medicinally and in witchcraft. The Malecite mixed the roots with those of Rubus species and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina Linnaeus) to treat coughs and fevers. The Chippewa made a poultice that was applied to dog bites and caused the dog's fangs to drop out. The Iroquois made a decoction of the whole plant to shed the placenta after childbirth, women used a decoction of the roots as a wash if the husband was unfaithful, and the whole plant was used as a romantic aid: if sun-dried plants twisted together, they signified a wife's infidelity." End quotes.
Flower
Plant location: South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Widespread distribution in the United States: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY.
See the BONAP distribution map, here. The website NatureServe shows a good map of the species distribution based on it's eco-status, here. Enter the latin name of the species, check the expand all box.Plant
Bloom season: Varies by state and habitat, from late May to August. with the earliest in the Appalachians to latest in the Rocky Mountains.
Found in a range of sun to mostly shady areas and/or with partial sun - areas such as aspen groves, moist meadows, forest openings.Foliage
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
The deep orange/red color of this lily makes it a real stand out even though the plants are not especially tall.
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Macro of anthers (pollen bearing portion of the stamen). The dull maroon color of the anthers is a distinguishing feature of the species.
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Stamen (male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an anther and filament), in the center of the flower topped by anthers.
Wood Lily -or- Philadelphia Lily -or- Prairie Lily -or- Western Red Lily (Lilium philadelphicum), family Liliaceae (Lily)
USES: Wood Lilies have been widely used for food and medicine. Per Wildflower.org, "Many tribes gathered the bulbs of wood lily for food and medicine. The bulbs are said to have an excellent flavour. As well, the abundant, nutritious pollen can be dusted on various dishes. Medicinally, the bulbs were once cooked and then applied to sores, bruises, swellings or wounds. They were also used to make a medicinal tea for treating stomach problems, coughs and fevers and for helping women in labour diliver the afterbirth." Flora of North America adds, "The Cree, Meskwaki, and Blackfoot used Lilium philadelphicum bulbs as food, while other tribes used bulbs medicinally and in witchcraft. The Malecite mixed the roots with those of Rubus species and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina Linnaeus) to treat coughs and fevers. The Chippewa made a poultice that was applied to dog bites and caused the dog's fangs to drop out. The Iroquois made a decoction of the whole plant to shed the placenta after childbirth, women used a decoction of the roots as a wash if the husband was unfaithful, and the whole plant was used as a romantic aid: if sun-dried plants twisted together, they signified a wife's infidelity." End quotes.
Flower 
Plant location: South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Bloom season: Varies by state and habitat, from late May to August. with the earliest in the Appalachians to latest in the Rocky Mountains. 
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
South Dakota - June 14, 2017
South Dakota - June 14, 2017