Ciliate Lily vs small tortoiseshell

Lilium ciliatum compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Ciliate Lily is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ciliate Lily	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Liliopsida (Monocots)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Liliales (Liliales)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Liliaceae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Lilium	Aglais
Species	Lilium ciliatum	Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

Ciliate Lily

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Ciliate Lily	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ciliate Lily

Habitat

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

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.