Wild Guide: Celestial Lily

Celestial Lily

Nemastylis geminiflora

Scattered in the unglaciated plains, eastern portions of the Ozarks, and the Ozark border

A perennial herb with grasslike leaves growing from a bulb, celestial lilies bloom from April to May. The flowers appear as sky blue or blue-violet six-pointed stars that measure 2½ inches across. Each flower blooms for only one day, in the morning, and then closes in the afternoon. Celestial lilies occur in glades, prairies, and rocky slopes on calcareous substrates.

Did You Know?

This plant is not technically a lily — it is in the iris family. How can you tell the difference? In irises, the flower’s ovary is positioned below where the petals and sepals seem to attach, and not above them. Also, irises have three stamens.