| This dissertation emphasizes the lift history of Lilium superbum L., and contains data whose interpretation is intended to be useful in making informed decisions as to the best way to bring about its recovery. The literature review presented chronologically traces the taxonomic treatment of the species and views concerning its proper status from the earliest known pre-Linnean description to those of the present. Disagreements regarding species delineation are noted and the author's position is presented. L. superbum and L. michiganense are compared, a description of L. superbum is given, and Illinois ecotypes are compared with North Carolina ecotypes via morphological and chromatographic methods. Climatic data of southern Illinois were characterized with consideration given to air temperature, soil temperature, and precipitation. Southern Illinois climatic data were compared with data from weather stations near the center of L. superbum's range in North Carolina. The geological character of L. superbum's range is described and illustrated. The question concerning origin of the species in southern Illinois is discussed and the author offers a hypothesis considered most plausible. L. superbum's response to moisture, sunlight, soil texture, soil pH, heat, pathogenic fungi, herbivory, floods, storms, and humans are examined and conditions considered optimal for growth by horticultural authors are listed. Sexual and asexual modes of reproduction are delineated with consideration given to advantages and disadvantages of each. Experimental studies of pollen viability, pollination, seed germination, and cloning are described, and the results evaluated. The habitat is characterized in descriptions of lily study sites in Illinois and North Carolina. This was accomplished by gathering, comparing, and evaluating data regarding the woody overstory and understory, herbaceous understory, soil cover, texture, and pH, soil and air temperatures, proximity to water, elevation, and slope along with average stem height and density, and amount of space occupied by the lily populations. Community structure, composition, and similarity of the two regions were compared, and a recovery plan is promulgated in which goals are outlined and recommendations listed. |
