Lily Family – Liliaceae
Actual flower size: 3 inches across
Avalanche Lily is also called White Avalanche Lily, Glacier Lily, White Glacier Lily, or Alpine Fawn Lily.
Plant Description: Avalanche Lilies are from 6 to 16 inches tall. They have 1 to 4 (sometimes as many as 12) slightly nodding flowers per stem and several, 4 to 8 inch-long, pale green leaves that are mostly basal, clasping, 2 to 4 inches wide, tongue-shaped, with wavy edges and sharply pointy tips.
Flower Description: The flowers are 2 to 4 inches across. The tepals are white with yellow or orange base, and reflexed with very pointed tips. The tepals sometimes turn pink with age. There are 6 yellow anthers and a branched stigma.
Ecology: The Avalanche Lily pushes up right through the edges of melting snow and blooms soon after. It grows in damp meadows at middle to high elevations and sometimes forms large masses of flowers.
Note: All parts of the plant are edible. Bears frequently feed on them.
Avalanche Lily Photo Gallery
Actual flower size: 3 inches across