Tiger Lily
Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣: ʎaka.ʔb
Latin: Lilium columbianum
Description: Growing up to 1.2 meters tall on a slender stem, this plant produces clusters of vibrant orange, bell-shaped blooms speckled with deep red spots near it’s centre. Its petals recurve upward while prominent stamens hang loosely toward the ground. Along the stem, thin, lance-like leaves stretch 4–10 cm long, rising from a deeply oval-shaped underground bulb about 3–5 cm in length.
Photo Credits: Kendall McLaughlin
Harvest and Sustainability: This flower grows in meadows, thickets, open forests, clearings, and well-drained mountain slopes. The bulbs and bulblets are harvested right after the plant finishes flowering. The flowers can be harvested once it blooms.
Uses: The bulbs are traditionally eaten and impart a peppery flavour when cooked in pit cooks. Once steamed or boiled, they can be dried and stored for winter use or ground as a seasoning.
The flowers are also edible once the stamens are removed. The petals make a wonderful addition to fresh salads, while the full flowerheads can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or fried and added to stews.
Additionally, the young flower buds can be cooked and eaten like green beans.
