Prepare to be amazed by the stunning Cahaba Lily! From Mother's Day to Father's Day, this gorgeous flower of the Deep South blooms with a fragrant scent that will transport you. There are only a few weeks left to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder, but trust us, it will be worth the wait! Dreamers, poets, and nature lovers alike will be captivated by the beauty of the Cahaba lily. Join us on this journey to discover more about this mysterious flower!
What is a Cahaba lily?
The botanical name of the flowers is Hymenocallis Coronaria, which is a species of spider lily. They provide new pure white flowers every morning that fade throughout the day. By evening, their scent fills the air with a sweet aroma that attracts nocturnal pollinators such as the common sphinx moth.
Where do Cahaba lilies grow?
Cahaba lilies require sunlight, fast-moving water, and seasonal flooding to survive. At one time, you could find them in every river in the Southeast, especially along the fall line between the Appalachian Highlands and the Coastal Plains. Now, only seventy-five wings remain in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina due to habitat loss and water pollution.
What is the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge?
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge of approximately 4,000 acres located in central Alabama, along the Cahaba River downstream from Birmingham, Alabama. It protects the largest remaining stand of Cahaba lilies in the world.
What happened to the former largest platform of Cahaba lilies?
Squaw Shoals on the Black Warrior River was the world's largest platform for Cahaba lilies. At one time, it contained more than a mile of flowers until a dam was built for flood control and navigation. Sadly, the lily pad was flooded below Lock 17, and has not flourished since the project was completed.
What can we learn from Cahaba lilies?
Cahaba lilies require fresh water and slopes to survive. Pollution and human development have destroyed much of its habitat, which is among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Mile after mile, the Cahaba River is more biodiverse than the Amazon or Congo. The construction of dams in nearby Coosa not only prevented Cahaba lilies from growing there, but led to “one of the largest rates of extinction in North America during the 20th century, with nearly 40 freshwater species extinct or extirpated.”
What is the best way to see Cahaba lilies?
You can see Cahaba lilies from the beaches in the national wildlife refuge, or by kayaking on the river. You can also see it elsewhere in Alabama such as the Tallapoosa River which flows into Lake Martin on the Harold Banks Canoe Trail.
What is the Cahaba Lily Festival?
The Cahaba Lily Festival is an annual celebration of lilies in West Blockton Alabama with music and keynote speakers. They also take trips to the refuge so people can see Cahaba lilies in their natural habitat.
Do you need a boat to see Cahaba lilies?
You don't need a boat to see Cahaba lilies. There are several spots where you can see them from the beaches in the national wildlife refuge. However, you won't be able to get to Hargrove Shoals without a boat. Weekends during the flowering season are also very crowded, so it is best to come during the morning or afternoon.
Final fun facts about Cahaba lilies
Here are some additional fun facts about Cahaba Lilies:
How to care for a Cahaba Lily? The short answer here is that you cannot grow Cahaba lilies at home. They require a very specific environment of fresh, clean, flowing water. But if you love Cahaba lilies, you can participate in river cleanups, an activity that protects free-flowing rivers and keeps them clean.
Would you choose a Cahaba Lily? The Cahaba lily is a rare flower, although it is not federally threatened or endangered. However, many of the places where they grow are protected areas with general rules about removing any plants and some, such as the city of Helen, have specific regulations prohibiting the removal of kappa lilies.
What are other names for Cahaba lilies? The Latin name for Cahaba lilies is Hymenocallis Coronaria, but they are commonly known as shallow lily or spider lily.
Cahaba Lily Questions and Answers
When do Cahaba Lilies bloom? Cahaba lilies generally bloom from Mother's Day to Father's Day.
When is the Cahaba Lily Festival held? The Cahaba Lily Festival is held every year in mid-May.
Where is the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge located? The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is located near West Blockton, Alabama.
Parting thoughts about seeing Cahaba lilies at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
- The Cahaba lily's blooming season is approximately Mother's Day to Father's Day
- The Cahaba lily can be seen standing from the shore at several locations along the River Trace.
- the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge It will get very busy on weekends in season
- There are no facilities in CRNWR
- If you are walking on shallow water, wear sturdy river shoes
- Be sure to Use environmentally friendly sunscreen To protect you and the river
- Pack it inside the package. Be part of the solution, not the problem
- The easiest canoe trip is out and back, where you paddle (and wade a bit) back to the place
- Cahaba River Association offers Guided boat toursAnd they deserve it!
- They also compiled a Virtual tour of Cahaba Lily If you want to know all about these wonderful flowers from the experts
- Domestic commercial flights are available seasonally from Alabama small boats
- Check river gauge for recent flooding before going (USGS 02423647 CAHABA RIVER NEAR WEST BLOCTON AL)
For more details about paddling the Cahaba River, visit the website Cahaba Blueway.
Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
