|
|
|
Blue Bead Lily Liliaceae (Lily Family) Description General - a perennial with glossy, dark green leaves in a rosette at the base; leafless flowering stalk, growing 30 cm high.
Flowers - in a loose cluster at the tip of an erect flowering stalk emerging from the centre of the leaf rosette; individual flowers nodding, bell-shaped, about 1.5 cm long, with 6 yellowish-green petals; appearing in early summer. Fruit -a cluster of dark blue shiny berries; ripening by midsummer. Habitat Common; occurring across a broad range of forest habitats and soil/site conditions, especially in dry/fresh mixed-wood stands. Notes The basal leaves can sometimes be confused with those of Smilacina trifolia in wet, conifer forests. The berries are said to be mildly toxic. The young leaves can be used to make a pleasant addition to a salad.
Return to Top of Page
| Ontario's North (West) Forest | Boreal Forests of the World | North (West) Forest Industry | | World Links and Resources | "Forest Finder" Search Engine | Educational Resources | | What's Happening | Contacts | Site Map | |
Leaves - 2 to 4 (typically 3) large, erect, basal leaves with parallel veins; finely hairy on the margins and veins; elliptic or tongue-shaped, abruptly pointed at the tip.