Tiger Lily

If you are out for a summer hike around Mt. Hood, Forest Park, or the in Coast Range, you will probably run into the Columbia Tiger Lily (Lilium columbianum). This striking orange lily is native to the west and the plant's peppery tasting bulbs were eaten by some local Native American tribes. The common name is from the flower coloring; I did not find the original Native name for this plant. The Latin name comes from where it was first collected (Columbia River).

It grows in open sunny areas and partially shaded cover. The stems can reach 5 feet, with multiple flower buds. Deer seem to relish the buds, but they are not suitable for human consumption!

Oddly, there is no mention of the Tiger Lily in the Lewis and Clark journal. They did take samples of the Wood Lily in October of 1804, but that was further east, on the Missouri River.

These were growing along the BPA road in Forest Park on 6/28/2013. Thanks to Ken D. for alerting me to this bloom!