Prairie Lily

Did you know

• It is the official floral emblem of Saskatchewan, Canada, where it blooms across the prairies each July.
• Unlike most lilies whose flowers nod downward, prairie lily flowers face upward like cups, collecting rainwater that attracts pollinators.
• The bulbs were an important food source for Indigenous peoples, who ate them raw, cooked, or dried for winter storage.
• It is the only native lily in much of the northern Great Plains, making it an ecological keystone for specialized pollinators.
• Overharvesting and habitat loss have made it rare across much of its range, and it is protected in several states and provinces.

Color meanings

Uses

• native plant gardens
• wildflower meadows
• traditional food source
• cultural ceremonies