Madonna Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Madonna Lily
• white lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lilium candidum var. peregrinum
• Lilium candidum subsp. peregrinum
• Lilium candidum f. peregrinum
• Lilium candidum f. striatum
• Lilium album
• Lilium candidum var. peregrinum
• Lilium candidum var. aureomarginatum
• Lilium candidum var. cernuum
• Lilium peregrinum
• Lilium candidum var. plenum
• Lilium candidum var. monstruosum
• Lilium candidum var. rubrolineatum
• Lilium candidum var. purpureum
• Lilium candidum var. striatum
• Lilium candidum var. purpureostriatum
• Lilium candidum var. variegatum
• Lilium candidum var. salonikae

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Liliales, it is a member of the family Liliaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Lillium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found throughout Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. The plant also extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically inhabiting the island of Corse. Finally, its range continues through the mainland territory of France.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lilium candidum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, typically occupying habitats spanning from an elevation of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the species to inhabit various montane and sub-montane ecosystems, where it adapts to fluctuating environmental conditions and varying thermal regimes. Its distribution within these altitudes suggests a capacity to tolerate different soil compositions and moisture levels, ranging from lower-altitude Mediterranean-style shrublands to higher, more temperate mountain slopes.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lilium candidum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a species that relies on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable periods, its life form is classified as a geophyte, which further identifies it within the broader category of a cryptophyte. This strategy ensures that the vital parts of the plant remain protected beneath the soil surface, facilitating long-term survival and seasonal regeneration.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lilium candidum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it exists independently of other organisms, functioning as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing or vining tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small specimen, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lilium candidum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by its specialized leaf morphology, featuring elliptic leaf forms that vary significantly in dimension. These leaves exhibit a leaf length ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, while the leaf width spans from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. This variation in leaf surface area and shape plays a critical role in the plant's capacity for gas exchange and light absorption during its growth cycles.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lilium candidum is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in June and concludes in July. During this stage, the plant produces white flowers that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules exhibit specific dimensions, with a minimum fruit length of 2.5 cm and a maximum length of 3.5 cm. The reproductive cycle concludes with a dehiscence process, as the fruit is classified as dehiscent, allowing for the eventual dispersal of seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

8 cm

Flower length min:

4.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lilium candidum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie

Chemicals

Lilium candidum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CITRONELLAL, Humulene, Linalool, kaempferol.

CITRONELLAL

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Humulene

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Linalool

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

kaempferol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Lilium candidum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral.

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Lilium candidum has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns, coughs, shingles, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations