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Sand lilies, a protected plant species native to Türkiye, decorate the beaches of the Terme district in Samsun province with their white flowers, and picking or damaging them can result in a fine of ₺699,000 ($14,708).
Along the district's roughly 40-kilometer (24.9-mile) coastline on the Black Sea, this bulbous plant grows naturally among the sand dunes. The plant, which remains in bloom throughout the summer, attracts nature lovers with its distinctive scent, which spreads through the surrounding area after sunset.
Considered one of the symbolic plants of coastal dunes, sand lilies are significant not only for their aesthetic appearance but also for the contribution they make to protecting the coastal ecosystem.
It is known that sand lilies, with their root systems, stabilize dunes, preventing coastal erosion and helping sustain biodiversity along harsh coastal strips.
Warning signs placed in areas of the district where sand lilies are found inform visitors not to harm the plant.
Under the Environmental Law, an administrative fine is imposed on those who pick, uproot, or otherwise damage the natural habitats of sand lilies, which are under protection.
Terme Mayor Senol Kul stated that Terme is one of the districts that stands out along the Black Sea for its history and nature.
Sand lilies grow naturally along the coastal areas of the district, particularly in the Sancakli, Kumcagiz, and Evci neighborhoods, which have a long coastline.
"Sand lilies attract people especially in summer with the pure white appearance they create among the dunes, and with the scent they spread through the surrounding area after sunset,'' Kul said.
''The protected sand lilies are continuously monitored by the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. In 2026, a fine of ₺699,000 is applied to those who pick them or cause damage to the habitats where they grow," he stated.
Emphasizing that sand lilies are a natural asset of the district, Kul added, "We continue our awareness efforts to protect this unique species. The sensitivity our citizens show will be our greatest strength in passing this natural heritage on to future generations.''
"Protecting sand lilies means protecting not just a plant, but Terme's natural memory and the most valuable legacy we will leave to future generations," he said.
The endangered sand lilies adorn the shores of Terme until autumn.
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