When I run into "Tiger" Lilies whilst out backpacking, they are always
creek side. So, can you tell me.....
Do they naturalize? Will they naturalize in a dry
location under my oak trees? (Central California)
What kind of moisture do they require?
Must it be riparian?
Thanks so much!
Lori

Tiger lily is a common name applied to a lot of lilies. Do they look kind of like my avatar?

I always think of "tiger lily" as an orange one with black spots and loaded with bulbils along the stems. When they bulbils fall to the ground and root, you will have huge numbers in no time! They are of the Asian species 'lancifolium'. I think there are several native American species still found in California, none of which I have ever seen. Are they the "turk's cap" form like the European martagons? My "authority" on all things lilies is Ed McRae, author and associate of Jan de Graaf at Oregon Bulb Farms.

There are no L. lancifolium native to the US. The native lily most often referred to as "Tiger Lily" here is L. columbianum. This is a totally different lily from L. lancifolium. I am waiting to hear back from Lori about some additional descriptive information to help pinpoint the species.

Connie - I was unclear in my previous comments! I did not mean to infer that L. lancifolium was an American species, although it is a very common garden lily.
The only American species I have grown is L. michiganense, and as I said, I have never even seen any of the Pacific coast species.

Are L. michiganense invasive. I found one that looked like that in my garden and was told it was very invasive. Of course, I am pulling feverfew from all over my garden after planting one little plant. Arghhhh.

Hi Connie, thanks for the response.
I googled L. columbianum and is sure looks like that one.
I'm good with many plants, alas lilies are not one of them,
so I'm just guessing. I see them in the Big Sur part of the
California Coast and (I think) I see the same ones in the
Sierra Nevadas. They are almost always in a riparian area.
Silly Me, I'm surely answering my own question about where
they can grow. (Don't tell, but I have collected a few seed....
Plant OCD, I'm working on it) I just have this vision of some
sort of tall, native lily growing happily under my Coastal Live
Oak trees near my home. What do you think, is there help for me?
Thanks again, Lori

Any recommended sources for L. michiganense? I've read that they are very attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators. I planted my first Martagon this spring. So far so good; )