Ciliate Lily vs Flame Lily

Lilium ciliatum compared with Lilium philadelphicum

Key Differences

• Ciliate Lily is Endangered while Flame Lily is Extinct.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ciliate Lily	Flame Lily
Kingdom same	Plantae (Plants)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum same	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class same	Liliopsida (Monocots)	Liliopsida (Monocots)
Order same	Liliales (Liliales)	Liliales (Liliales)
Family same	Liliaceae	Liliaceae
Genus same	Lilium	Lilium
Species	Lilium ciliatum	Lilium philadelphicum

Evolutionary Relationship

Ciliate Lily and Flame Lily share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Lilium.

Conservation Status

Ciliate Lily

EN — Endangered

Flame Lily

EX — Extinct

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Ciliate Lily	Flame Lily
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ciliate Lily

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Flame Lily

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Ciliate Lily

Ciliate lily (Lilium ciliatum) is a bulbous perennial in the family Liliaceae, endemic to the mountains of northeastern Turkey and the Caucasus region, with its range extending into adjacent Georgia and possibly Armenia. It grows in subalpine meadows, forest margins, and rocky slopes at elevations between approximately 1,500 and 2,500 meters, in habitats characterized by well-drained calcareous or volcanic soils and continental to montane climate conditions. The flowers are nodding to pendant, with reflexed orange-red petals spotted with darker markings and fringed edges—the fine marginal ciliation from which the species takes its name. Lilium ciliatum is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, reflecting its restricted range, specialized habitat requirements, and threats from overgrazing, agricultural encroachment into subalpine meadows, and collection for the horticultural trade. Like many Lilium species in the Middle East and Caucasus, it faces pressure from unregulated bulb collection for ornamental cultivation. Turkey and the Caucasus harbor remarkable diversity of wild lilies, many of them endemic to specific mountain ranges. Conservation measures for Lilium ciliatum include protected area management, regulation of bulb trade, and ex-situ cultivation programs. The species is occasionally grown by specialist lily enthusiasts, valued for its elegant nodding blooms.