toadlily
Tricyrtis hirta (Thunb.) Hook.
Toadlily brings an unusually intricate flower to the shaded garden late in the growing season. A slowly spreading rhizome produces clumps of upright to arching stems, generally about 2–3 feet tall. Fine, transparent hairs cover the stems and leaves, giving the plant a soft texture even before its spotted flowers open. NC State Extension: Tricyrtis hirta
Botanical name
Tricyrtis hirta (Thunb.) Hook. is an accepted species in Liliaceae. ITIS: Tricyrtis hirta, TSN 505579
Recognizing the plant
Oval to oblong leaves alternate up the stem, their bases clasping it so that the foliage forms a stepped arrangement. Flowers face upward from the upper leaf axils, appearing singly or in small groups of two or three. Each is about an inch long, with six white or pale lilac tepals densely dotted purple. The three outer tepals bear swollen, nectar-containing sacs near their bases. Stamens and styles rise above the floral segments in a conspicuous central structure. NC State Extension: Tricyrtis hirta
Bloom window
North Carolina cultivation
In North Carolina gardens, flowering falls in late summer and autumn. NC State Extension: Tricyrtis hirta
Native range
The species is native to Japan, including Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. Its natural settings include shaded rocky cliffs and stream banks. NC State Extension: Tricyrtis hirta
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.