Lilium Candidum L. (Liliaceae), a New Exotic Species Reported in the Jbel Sidi Ali El Jawzi (Prerif, Morocco)

Abstract

The genus Lilium comprises 119 taxa, primarily native to temperate and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, extending to the northern Philippines. In this study, we report the first occurrence of Lilium candidum L. in Morocco, specifically in the jbel Sidi Ali El Jawzi area, within the territorial commune of Asjen, Ouezzane Province (Pre-Rif region). During a botanical survey conducted in May 2022, a population of L. candidum was identified, marking its first recorded presence in the country. Morphological characteristics were analyzed and compared with existing descriptions in the literature to confirm species identification. The species was found in a humid microclimate with calcareous soils, suggesting specific ecological requirements that facilitated its establishment. This unexpected discovery raises several questions regarding its biogeographical history, potential introduction pathways, and adaptation mechanisms in the Moroccan environment. Given its limited distribution and ecological specificity, its conservation status should be carefully evaluated, as human activities, habitat disturbance, and climate change may pose significant threats. Further studies, including genetic analyses and ecological monitoring, are needed to determine its origin, assess population stability, and establish conservation strategies. The presence of L. candidum in the Pre-Rif region expands the known distribution of the species and highlights the importance of continuous botanical exploration in North Africa, particularly in understudied mountainous ecosystems.