The Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily, is a captivating perennial that graces many gardens with colorful fall-blooming flowers. Originating from Taiwan, this plant is not only visually appealing but also offers gardeners a late-season bloom when most other plants have finished their show.
Tricyrtis formosana Toad Lily Origins
The Tricyrtis formosana species is native to Taiwan, thriving in its mountainous regions. The ‘Autumn Glow’ cultivar is a special variant of this species, celebrated for its distinctive appearance and late-season blooms. See also, mention of Toad Lily in our article on purple flowers that bloom in fall.
Taxonomy for Toad Lily ‘Autumn Glow’
Here’s the taxonomic classification for Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily, formatted with the customary indentations and proper nomenclature conventions:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
- Infrakingdom: Streptophyta
- Superdivision: Embryophyta
- Division: Tracheophyta
- Subdivision: Spermatophytina
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Liliales
- Family: Liliaceae
- Genus:Tricyrtis
- Species:Tricyrtis formosana
- Cultivar: ‘Autumn Glow’
- Species:Tricyrtis formosana
- Genus:Tricyrtis
- Family: Liliaceae
- Order: Liliales
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subdivision: Spermatophytina
- Division: Tracheophyta
- Superdivision: Embryophyta
Characteristics of Toad Lily
The ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily is a visual delight with several standout features:
- Flowers: The flowers are star-shaped and possess a golden orange interior that contrasts beautifully with lavender petals adorned with purple dots. This combination gives the flower its unique appearance, resembling the skin of a toad, hence the name “Toad Lily”.
- Leaves: The leaves of this cultivar are variegated, adding another layer of visual interest. The lance shaped dark green interiors are surrounded by a cream or spring green frame around the edges and offer a beautiful backdrop to the delicately fanciful flowers.
Summary of Autumn Glow Toad Lily
- Scientific Name: Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’
- Common Names: Autumn Glow Toad Lily
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- US States: Suitable for most states, especially those with temperate climates. Avoid extremely hot or arid regions.
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall (August to October)
- Fragrant: No
- Edible parts: None (It’s important to note that many parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested.)
- Medicinal uses or benefits: None officially recognized. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any plant for medicinal purposes.
Landscaping Uses for Toad Lily
The ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily is versatile when it comes to landscaping. Due to its shade-loving nature, it’s perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or even as an understory plant beneath larger shrubs and trees. Its unique flowers also make it a standout in cut flower arrangements and are reminiscent of a cascade of miniature orchids draped along a stem.
Toad lily plants are best sighted in areas where they can be observed at close range, because the beauty and detail of the small flower tends to get lost if plants cannot be examined and appreciated up close.
~Dr. Andy Pulte, Plant Sleuth
Growing Conditions and Care
To ensure the best growth and flowering of the Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily, certain conditions and care are essential:
- Light: While it can tolerate some direct sunlight, this plant prefers partial to full shade. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch.
- Soil: Well-draining soil is a must. It thrives in humus-rich, moist soil. Ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Watering: Regular watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
- Fertilization: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in the spring can boost its growth and flowering.
Potential Challenges
While the Autumn Glow Toad Lily is relatively easy to care for, gardeners should be aware of potential challenges:
- Pests and Diseases: Slugs and snails are particularly fond of the Toad Lily. Regular checks and natural deterrents can help keep these pests at bay. Additionally, watch out for fungal diseases, especially in overly wet conditions.
However, we’ve never had any of these problems on our Toad Lily plants that we’ve had for around 20 years! - Propagation: While the plant can be propagated by seed, division is often more effective. Divide the plant in early spring or late autumn for best results.
Where to Buy Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily
These are some of the top sellers of this plant:
- Amazon
- AvantGardensNE
- Bluestone Perennials
- Dancing Oaks
- Etsy
- Nature Hills Nursery
- Rare Roots
- Walter’s Garden
Toad Lily Plant (Tricyrtis formosana) Identification
You may enjoy this short video on Toad Lily with Dr. Andy Pulte, the executive director of The University of Tennessee GATOP Arboretum and Education Center.
Is Toad Lily Edible or Medicinal?
This is the question I ask about every plant I meet, and more often than not, the answer to both is yes. In this case, we did not find any research on Tricyrtis formosana, and very little on the Tricyrtis genus.
However, there on a few studies on the Tricyrtis genus, which indicate promising medicinal properties and even one new compound discovered. As for edible, some traditional uses cite edible leaves and shoots.
Our research points to medicinal benefits of Tricyrtis maculata and the discovery of a new medicinal compound named after Tricyrtis.
References:
- Triculata A, a novel compound from Tricyrtis maculata[1]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786419.2020.1736059
- Some Tricyrtis species leaves and shoots are edible:
In Summary
The Tricyrtis formosana ‘Autumn Glow’ Toad Lily is undoubtedly a garden treasure. Its unique appearance, coupled with its late-season blooms, makes it a must-have for any gardener looking to add a touch of the extraordinary to their landscape. And… we’ll keep an ear to the ground regarding potential edible and medicinal benefits! 👩🏻🌾🌿👨🏻🌾
I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.
While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.
Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.
As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.
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