Identification
- Flower stem up to 12 inches tall, with 2-5 leaves at the base.
- Shiny, thick, dark-green, oval leaves, 6 to 12 inches long.
- 3-6 flowers at top of single stem.
- Yellowish-green, star-shaped, nodding flowers, with 6 petals.
- Shiny blue fruits appear in late summer.
| Flowering |
Are some or all of the plant (s)...
Before flower - The plant emerges from the ground and leaves unfurl. The flower stem and buds begin to emerge and the flower buds begin to open, but none of the flowers are fully open.
In flower - At least one flower is open enough to allow access to a pollinator. Once the petals begin to wilt or drop, that flower is past flowering.
Past flower - The petals have dropped or wilted, leaving a green-yellow ovary. Some of the flower parts (stigma/style) may remain , but they will disappear as the fruit begins to develop and swell.
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| Fruiting |
Are some or all of the plant(s)...
Before ripe fruit – The petals have dropped, leaving a green developing fruit. As the fruit begins to ripen, it will swell in size, and eventually begin to deepen in color. A fruit is not considered ripe until it turns from deep-green to blue in color.
Ripe fruit – The fruits have turned from deep-green to blue in color. Once the fruits are ripe, they will eventually be dispersed by falling to the ground or being eaten by animals.
After ripe fruit – The ripe fruits have disappeared or dropped to the ground. Look for “missing” fruit at the top of the remaining stem.
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Fun Facts
This species is found at all mountain elevations, from the deciduous understory to alpinesnowbank communities.
Blue-bead lily leaves could be confused with pink lady’s slipper, but they are not covered in hairs. Potentially confusing members of the lily family, such as Solomon’s seal, Canada mayflower, and twisted-stalk all have leaves along the stem, not just at the base. The yellow flowers of the similar trout lily are brighter than the pale yellowish-green flowers of blue-bead lily, and although both have leaves at the base, trout lily’s have white and purple-brown spots.
Blue-bead lily is very slow growing, but because it often reproduces by underground stems, it can form vast colonies that can cover the forest floor.
