'Tiger Lily' is the common name for the flower seen here. Botanically known as LILIUM lancifolium these 3-4' tall flowers produce bright orange blossoms (4-5" across) on strongly recurved petals w/ purplish brown spots at the throat. While it has significant medicinal use and is often used in holistic healing it's effects on cats, in particular, are extremely toxic.....producing lethargy, kidney failure and even death.

Considering it's effects on cats I found it interesting that I came across this old Asian legend re: the Tiger Lily on several occasions. A Korean hermit helped a wounded tiger by removing an arrow from its body. The tiger asked the hermit to use his powers to perpetuate their friendship after his death. The hermit agreed and when the tiger died, his body became a Tiger Lily. Some time later the hermit drowned and his body was washed away. The legend concludes by asserting the Tiger Lily spread world-wide searching for its friend.

The image seen here (night-time in my gardens) shows an immature Tiger Lily. I was most interested in showing the tightly grouped stamens at the center. W/in a week of this photo they had grown to almost 8" long and flared out from the center of the flower. It's a stunning blossom in my mid-summer gardens w/ the added bonus of a strong, sweet aroma.