ExplorePlants

bluebead lily

Clintonia borealis

The bluebead lily is a beautiful flower that grows in shady forests. Its bright blue berries are a special treat for birds and other animals!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The bluebead lily has a single stem with glossy, broad, lance-shaped basal leaves and small, yellowish-green, bell-shaped flowers. Its most striking feature is its cluster of bright, iridescent blue berries, which look like tiny beads.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusClintonia
bluebead lily
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
bluebead lily

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Even though it's called a lily, it's actually part of a different plant family!

Its name comes from its incredible, shiny blue berries, which are truly unique!

Some people call it 'corn lily' because its leaves look like small corn sprouts.

This hardy plant can live for decades, returning to the same spot every spring!

Special abilities

Ability

Berry Beacon

Bluebead lily has brilliant blue berries that attract birds to help spread its seeds far and wide!

Ability

Forest Floor Dweller

Bluebead lily can thrive in the cool, shady understory of forests, perfect for growing where other plants struggle.

Ability

Underground Spreader

Bluebead lily has rhizomes (underground stems) that help it spread and form new clumps of plants.

Measurements & details

Height
15-40 cm
Spread
10-20 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not eat any berries you find without asking an adult first!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is bluebead lily?

15-40 cm

How wide does bluebead lily spread?

10-20 cm

How big are the flowers on bluebead lily?

1-2 cm

When does bluebead lily bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is bluebead lily edible?

No

Is bluebead lily toxic?

Mild

What is bluebead lily's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is bluebead lily pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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