Fauna
Plant

Showy Japanese Lily

Lilium speciosum

Also known as Speciosum Lily, Japanese Showy Lily

Sweeping pinkish-white petals recurve sharply to reveal bright crimson spots and prominent dark brown anthers dangling on long stamens. Opening in late summer, these flowers emit a heavy, sweet fragrance designed to attract night-flying hawkmoths across mountain slopes. Beneath the surface, persistent fleshy bulbs store energy through freezing winters to push up tall, leaf-laden stems each spring.

FragrantPerennialLate-Bloomer
Showy Japanese Lily reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Soil Nitrogen, Ground Water
Predators
  • Scarlet Lily Beetle
  • Voles
  • Slugs
ThreatsWild bulb overcollection, habitat loss, lily leaf beetle predation
HabitatsMountain slopes, forest margins, rocky cliffs
Life spanPerennial (decades via continuous bulb division)
Classification
  1. FamilyLiliaceae
  2. SpeciesLilium speciosum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Extremely toxic to cats, causing acute renal failure; keep completely out of reach of household pets.
Why it is dangerous
Contains unidentified water-soluble toxins that cause rapid, severe, and potentially fatal kidney failure in domestic cats.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for reflexed white-and-pink petals dotted with dark red papillae and heavy brown pollen-covered anthers.
What to do
Keep cut flowers out of cat-inhabited homes, and wash hands thoroughly after touching stems or pollen.
Responsible observation
  • Pollen Care: Snip off heavy stamens on cut flowers to prevent permanent orange stains on clothing and surfaces.
  • Pet Safety: Avoid bringing cut stems or potted specimens indoors if domestic cats are present in the household.
Related species
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