Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata) is small member of the Lily family. It goes by several names, including Clinton’s Lily and White Clintonia. This wildflower grows on acidic forest floors, putting up an umbel atop a long stalk. The flowers may be speckled with purple (photo above) or green (photo below) spots, or have none. The flowers are quickly replaced by blue, poisonous berries.
This species was named for a former New York Governor, DeWitt Clinton, causing Henry David Thoreau to grumble about naming beautiful plants after politicians.
The photo at the top of the page was taken along the Kanati Fork Trail in late April, and the photo immediately above and the one below were taken on the Bud Ogle Nature Trail, where dozens of Clinton’s lilies grow.
If you are on a Smoky Mtn vacation, please consider a visit to the William Britten Gallery on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg. The complete collection of my Smoky Mtn photos is on display and you may find a Smokies memory to take back home.
