Nodding Lilies
What are they?
The name 'lily' has become attached to a wide and diverse number of plant species, some of which truly are lilies (i.e. that are in the Liliaceae) and some that are not. Despite the suggestions of their English names, all of the species on this page are indeed members of the lily family and are brought together here by virtue of their flowers. Although there is quite a diversity in the leaf types and overall appearance of these species, they all have flowers that are carried in a hanging or nodding position, with the petals either enclosing the centre of the flower, or strongly curled back (reflexed). The species here grow from bulbs, typically producing a single stem with flowers at the top and with either basal leaves or leaves carried on the main stem. The leaves have parallel veins and the flowers don't have the familiar small green sepals and large coloured petals of most plants. Instead they have sepals and petals that are often more or less the same and which are referred to as tepals. The tepals will be seen to be arranged in two rows of three to form what appears to be a six petalled flower. These parts may be fused into a tube at the base or may be free.
Where are they found?
We have no native species in our area in this group, so any plant found is likely to have originated as a garden escape or throw-out. As such, rough ground, grassy places and roadsides are typical locations but odd, single plants may show up almost anywhere and some can persist for many years. The exception comes in Snake's-head Fritillary which, though not ntive, has become fully established at four sites in Suffolk and these are protected as nature reserves.
Identification
The great variety in appearance of these plants makes them relatively straightforward to tell apart. Note the leaf shape and whether they are basal or carried alomng the upright stem, then note if the flower tepals are reflexed or not, as well as flower colour.
Dog's-tooth-violet Erythronium dens-canis
Introduced from southern Europe as a garden ornamental. May occur temporarily from dumped garden waste but can produced longer-lived populations in churchyards and cemeteries. Flowers April to May. Leaves form a basal rosette and have distinctive, dark purple blotches.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Snake's-head Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
Considered by some to be native in the UK (most notably along the Thames water meadows) but commonly grown as a garden plant and sometimes deliberately planted in the wider countryside. Occurs abundantly at four, meadow sites in Suffolk where it is protected, but at all of these sites, there is strong circumstancial evidence to suggest that it was originally introduced. Flowers April to May. Leaves on the stem, light blue-green, slender and grass-like.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
||
| |
|
Pyrenean Fritillary Fritillaria pyrenaica
Introduced from the Pyrenees as a garden ornamental and once recorded from a roadside in North Norfolk. Flowers April to May. Leaves on the stem, light blue-green, slightly broader than those of Snake's-head Fritillary. Flowers vary greatly in appearance and may be lightly chequered or overall dark. The pattern inside the flower also varies but is generally a mix of dull olive-yellow and purple.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Crown Imperial Lily Fritillaria imperialis
Introduced from Turkey as a garden ornamental and occasionally found surviving for a few years on road verges from dumped garden waste. Flowers late March to early May. Leaves glossy, bright green in whorls on the upright stems. Flowers may be orange or yellow and hang in small clusters at the top of the stem and beneath a group of leaf-like bracts. The bulbs and young shoots have strong, foxy smell to them.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Martagon Lily Lilium martagon
(Turk's-cap Lily) Introduced from mainland Europe as a garden ornamental and occasionally found surviving for a few years on road verges from dumped garden waste. It has been in cultivation for a long time and a few small populations are more or less established in shady places. Flowers August to September. Leaves quite broadly oval in outline and the flowers have fully recurved tepals.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Pyrenean Lily Lilium pyrenaicum
(Yellow Turk's-cap Lily) Introduced from mainland Europe as a garden ornamental and occasionally found surviving for a few years on road verges from dumped garden waste or were deliberately planted. Established in a wood in South Norfolk. Flowers May to June. Leaves narrower and more numerous than those of Martagon Lily.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|