Turks Cap Lily

Lilum superbum

I suspect this is the smaller species of L. michauxii because of the fewer blooms on each plant.

Capable of reaching a height of nearly three feet tall, this gentle giant of summer is among the largest members of the Lily Family. With recurved petals colored yellow to orange and bearing reddish-brown spots, this flower can be identified from some distance away, growing on moist roadsides and meadows. Up to 40 flowers have been counted on just one plant of L. superbum, while a similar but smaller species, L. michauxii bears only 1 to 6 flowers per plant. Blooming time for both species begins in July and runs through September. This plant possesses no significant medicinal properties, although early American Indians used the bulbs in soups.

One of the joys of driving the Blue Ridge Parkway each day is watching the ever changing natural beauty. The Dogwood, Mountain Laurel, Azaleas to name a few of the flowering trees and shrubs have been particularly spectacular this year. Perhaps it's because we have had consistent rainfall. Yesterday I came across a stand of these Turks Cap Lilies. The butterflies were an added attraction.