Canada Lily

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Critically imperiled (S1) in Ontario, where populations are at the western edge of the species' core range. Apparently secure (S4) in Quebec with 20 herbarium specimens and widespread occurrence across the St. Lawrence Lowlands and southern Laurentians. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Global rank G5 (secure). National rank N4 in Canada.

S22 S1 ON, S4 QC, G5, N4; S26 SARA not listed; S54 20 QC specimens

Rarity Ranks

QC S4 – Apparently Secure, ON S1 – Critically Imperiled

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Inhabits wet meadows, moist rich woods edges, streamsides, river alluvia, bogs, and marshes from sea level to 1000 m. Pollinated primarily by ruby-throated hummingbirds. Characteristic of mesic to hydric openings and forest margins in the mixed-wood zone. FAC wetland indicator; tolerates periodic flooding but not permanent inundation.

S6 habitat; S10 range & habitat; S11 FAC; S61 floodplains, forests, wetland margins

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

pollinator attractor, hummingbird plant

S6 pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds; S10 nectar attracts butterflies

Notes

Pairs well with other moist-meadow species sharing similar moisture and light requirements. Suitable for wetland gardens and woodland edges. Tolerates juglone, making it compatible with walnut-family plantings.

S3 wetland garden, tolerates juglone; S29 woodland garden sunny edge, dappled shade

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

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Category

Gastrointestinal Aid, Antidiarrheal, Antirheumatic, Snakebite Remedy, Abortifacient

S28 Moerman categories; S29 Dysentery, Stomachic, Poultice

Notes

Algonquin of Quebec used root for stomach disorders. Cherokee used root infusion for dysentery, rheumatism, and as a dietary/pediatric aid. Chippewa applied root decoction to snakebites. Malecite and Micmac used for irregular menstruation. Bulb tea used as stomachic.

S28 8 drug uses across 6 nations; S29 stomachic, dysentery, poultice

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

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✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Bulb is edible cooked, rich in starch, used similarly to potatoes. Cherokee dried and ground the roots into flour for bread during famine times. Huron used roots with acorns during famine. Taste described as similar to raw green corn. Bulb up to 5 cm in diameter.

S28 Cherokee starvation food, Huron famine food; S29 bulb cooked, starch, flour for bread

Toxicity

☠️ High Toxicity

Not toxic to humans according to available sources. PFAF lists no known hazards. Note: OWSL flags this species as fatal to cats (Lilium genus is well-documented as nephrotoxic to felines). May cause skin rashes on contact in sensitive individuals.

S38 Cornell not listed; S29 Known Hazards=None known; S3 fatal to cats, causes skin rashes

Seed Source

• Akène