Prairie Lily + Bumblebee

Also known as the “wood lily,” “fire lily,” and “wild tiger lily,” this summer queen is a rare sight to behold only found in natural prairie tracts. It grows at a modest height of 12 inches, but the nectar and pollen attract bees, hummingbirds, and larger butterflies such as Swallowtails and Monarchs. Flowers are funnel-shaped, red-orange petals with brown spots near the base. The leaves are narrow and elliptical in shape, alternating and tapering to a point. Bulbs were harvested by Native Americans for food and medicine. The bulbs were traditionally cooked and then applied to surface wounds.

Prairie lily is accompanied by bumblebee. From Nat Geo: “Bumblebees are furry, round insects that live mostly in temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 250 species of bumblebees, belonging to the genus Bombus (honeybees belong to the genus Apis.) The largest bumblebee species, Bombus dahlbomii, can grow to be an inch and a half in length. Bumblebees are distinctive for their fuzzy, pile-covered bodies and bold colors, which helps them ward off predators. Unlike honeybees, they don’t make honey, as they don’t need to store food for winter—they typically live a year, at most.
Bumblebees are among the most important pollinators. They excel at spreading pollen and fertilizing many types of wild plants, as well as important agricultural crops like tomatoes, blueberries, and squash. They can fly in cooler temperatures than other bees, which makes them well suited to pollinating mountain habitats, coastal plains, and even Arctic tundra.”

Original mixed media on raw stretched canvas with maple float frame.

*This piece is available at Alina Collective in downtown Fargo. Please visit or contact to purchase.

716 Main Avenue

Fargo, ND 58103

701-532-1173