leopard lily
• noun
North American A species of true lily (Lilium pardalinum) native to the coastal regions and mountains of California, characterized by tall stems, whorled leaves, and striking reddish-orange, recurved petals marked with prominent brown or maroon spots.
"During our hike through the damp woods of Northern California, we spotted a vibrant leopard lily blooming near the edge of the stream."
An ornamental perennial plant (Iris domestica, formerly Belamcanda chinensis) belonging to the iris family, native to East Asia, noted for its fan-like foliage, heavily spotted orange flowers, and dark seed clusters.
"The horticulturist decided to plant a leopard lily in the sunny border to add a splash of speckled, exotic color to the summer garden."
Word Nuance & Usage
The common name 'leopard lily' is shared by several taxonomically distinct plants; it most commonly refers to the Californian true lily (Lilium pardalinum) or the Asian iris relative (Iris domestica).
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Historical frequency of usage in published text.