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(Tricyrtis formosana)
Formosan Toad Lily (Tricyrtis formosana)
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Martin Purdy
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Martin Purdy
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Martin Purdy | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Martin Purdy | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-11-06T13:36:22-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Tricyrtis formosana, commonly known as Formosan Toad Lily, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb that is native to shaded forest floors and moist woodland areas in Taiwan and the Nansei Islands of Japan. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 2 feet (0.6 meters). The plant features arching stems and lance-shaped leaves, creating an attractive, bushy appearance. Its unique flowers, which bloom in late summer to fall, are star-shaped and intricately spotted, displaying a mix of yellow, purple, red, and white hues that are highly showy and add exotic interest to garden settings.
Formosan Toad Lily is valued for its ornamental flowers and ability to thrive in shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and underplanting beneath canopy trees. It is relatively easy to maintain, requiring consistent moisture and well-drained, humus-rich soil. While it prefers part shade to full shade, it can tolerate morning sun if kept moist. It is generally pest and disease-resistant, although slugs and snails can be problematic. This plant is not known for being invasive, but gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed under optimal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Formosan Toad Lily is valued for its ornamental flowers and ability to thrive in shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and underplanting beneath canopy trees. It is relatively easy to maintain, requiring consistent moisture and well-drained, humus-rich soil. While it prefers part shade to full shade, it can tolerate morning sun if kept moist. It is generally pest and disease-resistant, although slugs and snails can be problematic. This plant is not known for being invasive, but gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed under optimal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1.5-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple, Blue
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Shaded forest floors and moist woodland areas in Taiwan and the Nansei Islands of Japan
Other Names
Common Names: Toad Lily, Taiwanskugglilja
Scientific Names: , Tricyrtis formosana, Compsoa formosana,
GBIF Accepted Name: Tricyrtis formosana Baker