Every now and then when I’m photographing wildflowers, I’ll see a delicate flower – and not know what they are. Once I check my collection of wildflower identification books – I can usually figure it out. I recently realized that three of my unknowns were all members of the lily family native to the US – so here they are – Indian Cucumbers, Mandarins and Fairy Bells.

Indian Cucumber – medeola virginiana – photographed in the Great Smoky Mountains Naitonal Park

Indian Cucumber © 2014 Patty Hankins

Indian Cucumber © 2014 Patty Hankins

Indian Cucumber © 2014 Patty Hankins

Indian Cucumber © 2014 Patty Hankins

Mandarins – prosartes maculata – another spring blooming wildflower found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mandarin © 2014 Patty Hankins

Mandarin © 2014 Patty Hankins

Fairy Bells – prosartes trachycarpa – closely related to the Mandarins – photographed at Grand Teton National Park

Fairy Bells © 2014 Patty Hankins

Fairy Bells © 2014 Patty Hankins

Aren’t these delicate wild lilies amazing?