Speckled Wood Lily
Clintonia umbellulata
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Pl. 9374 — Clintonia umbellulata
Clintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulataClintonia umbellulata
IOverview
Overview
The Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States, thriving in habitats such as Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This plant prefers partial sun to full shade, moist conditions, and light or medium soil types, making it well-suited for woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Its distinctive speckled leaves are edible, often used in culinary applications due to their mild flavor. The Speckled Wood Lily adds a touch of greenery to shaded landscapes while providing a valuable food source when foraged responsibly within its native range.
Quick answers
What is Speckled Wood Lily?
The Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States, thriving in habitats such as Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Speckled Wood Lily thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist, light (sandy) to medium soil. It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows as a perennial, reaching heights of about 20 cm. For best results, plant it where it can receive filtered sunlight throughout the day. Propagate via division or seed sowing. The edible parts are its leaves, which can be harvested for culinary use.
Light
Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Speckled Wood Lily for the first time
7steps
Start with planting Speckled Wood Lily in a partially shaded area, ensuring you have the right soil and care basics down.
- 1
What you'll need
A small Speckled Wood Lily plant or seeds, a container or garden bed, good quality potting mix if planting in containers.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring before new growth starts or in late summer after the heat has passed.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use light, well-draining soil. Ensure your container has drainage holes if planting in a pot.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 2-3 inches deep and about twice their width apart. For seeds, sow them just below the surface.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid direct sunlight during this period.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial shade and keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain plant health but avoid cutting back live foliage as it supports photosynthesis.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Speckled Wood Lily's leaves are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are typically prepared by boiling or steaming to enhance their mild flavor. Skip the deep frying as it may alter the texture and taste.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 11 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 9374870d-b2d5-4b8f-b121-65ed699ebe82
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