Monday, January 24, 2011

Another look at the Gray's Lily

These images are from the last day in June 2010. I decided to take a day and travel the backroads of Montgomery and Floyd counties before heading out to see if my favorite wildflower, the Gray's Lily, was in bloom. I found a very nice area of a wide assortment of wildflowers along one back road, and spent a bit of time in that area. Then it was time to check on the lily. It was in bloom and this year I was able to photograph it in its prime glory. Unfortunately, some bugs had already gotten to the blooms and had eaten away at them. However, this extremely rare and beautiful wildflower is still worth every bit of effort.


 This wildflower is Bouncing Bet, also known as Soapwart (Saponaria officinalis).


  This wildflower is Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosis).


 This wildflower is known as Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus).


  This wildflower is Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans).


  This wildflower is Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans).


  This beautiful wildflower is Gray's Lily (Lilium grayi). The easiest way to determine the Gray's Lily from the Canada Lily is that the Gray's Lily has speckles all the way to the tips of the petals. The Canada Lily has speckles, but they stop before the tips of the petals. Canada Lilies also are more orange/yellow that the red Gray's Lily.

 
 
 These wildflowers are Gray's Lily (Lilium grayi).


2 comments:

  1. That's some very unique flowers! Great collection! I love your clear photos.
    Sherman Unkefer

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  2. Thank You Sherman. The Gray's Lily is an Endangered Species, and it took me about 30 years to find one in Virginia.

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