Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Formosa lily

How to identify Formosa lily (Lilium formosanum)

Formosa lily, also known as Takasago lily

Formosa lily boasts a grand stature, towering between 4-7 feet (121.92-213.36 cm) high. Come late summer to fall, it erupts in a spectacle of large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers, each exuding an intoxicating fragrance. The blooms form a remarkable contrast with the plant's sturdy stalk, standing out as distinct centers of attraction among other garden flora.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Formosa lily

1

Trumpet-shaped white flowers, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long, in clusters on tall stalks.

2

Upperward facing seedpods, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, transitioning from green to brown.

3

Lance-shaped leaves, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, parallel veins, glossy surface.

4

Stiff, green cylindrical stem, up to 4 feet (120 cm) tall, minimal branching.

Formosa lilyFormosa lilyFormosa lilyFormosa lilyFormosa lily

Detailed Traits of Formosa lily

Leaf Features

The leaves of formosa lily are lance-shaped, reaching up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length. They are a vibrant green color, which contrasts with the tall, slender stems. The leaves are smooth to the touch with a pointed tip, arranged alternately along the stem. The veins are parallel, which is characteristic of monocots. Each leaf has a glossy surface, enhancing its striking appearance. These features make the leaves valuable for identification.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of formosa lily are trumpet-shaped, featuring six petals and measuring 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) in length. They are predominantly white, occasionally tinged with reddish-purple hues. These flowers often appear in clusters, either in pairs or umbrels of up to 10 blooms on a single stem, making them visually striking. The combination of their size, color, and distinctive petal arrangement makes them easily recognizable to plant enthusiasts.

Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of formosa lily is prominently stiff and green, measuring up to 4 feet (120 cm) tall. It is cylindrical, smooth, and has a robust texture that supports the plant's height. The stem's green coloration remains vibrant throughout its growth stage, contributing to its distinctive appearance. It has a moderate thickness, approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter, with minimal branching, offering a straightforward, unbranched form that aids in easy identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of formosa lily is typified by upperward facing seedpods, which are valued for their aesthetic contribution to gardens and dried floral arrangements. These seedpods are elongated, and as they mature, they transition from a vibrant green to a brown coloration, offering a striking visual display. The texture, while initially smooth, becomes more papery and brittle as the pods age and dry out. Upon reaching maturity, each pod splits open to reveal numerous flat, winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The seedpods measure approximately 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) in length, making them a notable component of the plant's reproductive system.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Formosa lily and Their Similar Plants

Img topic
Tiger lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Tiger lily gets its name from its flower color: black marks on orange background resemble the skin of a tiger. But keep it away from housecats because it’s poisonous to our feline friends. This is an extremely hardy plant, making it popular in chilly New England.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Madonna lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is a plant species that forms bulbs at ground level and has been cultivated by humans for over 3,000 years. Madonna lily is native to the Balkans and Middle East. This species has great symbolic value in many different cultures. For example, it is a symbol of purity in Roman Catholicism. Madonna lily is susceptible to viral and fungal diseases.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Showy lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
The Lilium speciosum is an East Asian plant native to southern Japan and China. Commonly called the showy lily it only blooms from summer to fall. This flowering plant is mostly grown in gardens because of its attractive aesthetics.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Wood lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum) is a flowering perennial species that attracts butterflies, birds and bees. Wood lily grows best in well-drained soil and cannot tolerate flooded areas. This plant species is becoming endangered due to people harvesting the flowers without allowing the bulbs to recover.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Royal Lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Royal Lily (Lilium regale) is a perennial plant known for its fragrant and rather large white trumpet flowers. A prolific bloomer, it can produce up to 25 blossoms per stem. It makes a terrific border plant, offering a mix of color with its golden-throated blossoms that feature pinkish-purple streaks against its pure white exterior. Grows from 1.2 to 1.8 m tall and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Turk's-Cap Lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Eye-catching tangerine-colored blooms perch on top of the tall stems of the turk's-Cap Lily (Lilium superbum) in mid-summer. Its bulb and flowers are considered edible. The blooms are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Carolina lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
The carolina lily is native to the southeastern United States and scientifically known as the Lilium michauxii. It blooms in summer and sometimes into fall. The plant is North Carolina's official state wildflower.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Pine lily vs. Formosa lily: What's The Difference?
Pine lily (*Lilium catesbaei*) is a type of lily that grows in coastal portions of the southeastern United States. It is one of the few lily species that prefer hot, wet conditions and acidic soils. Each pine lily stalk produces only a single spotted flower, giving rise to other names like leopard lily and southern red lily.
Read More
Arrow
Identify Formosa lily easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Formosa lily

Attributes of Formosa lily
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
1.2 m to 2 m
Flower Color
White
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Formosa lily

Family
Lily
Icon allow
Genus
Lilies
Icon allow
Species
Formosa lily (Lilium formosanum)
Learn More About the Formosa lily

Distribution Map of Formosa lily

Formosa lily, a plant naturally hailing from East Asia's temperate zones, has been introduced and cultivated in various other regions, spanning from East Asia to Southern Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. It thrives across these areas, having adapted to both similar and distinct climates compared to its native range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app