Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum
Lemon-colored fawn lily, Lemon-Colored Fawn Lily
Photo: parent species Erythronium citrinum · (c) Parker James Lloyd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum (Lemon-colored fawn lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family.
Lemon-colored fawn lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in dry woodland and shrubby slopes, often on serpentine substrates, at elevations of 100 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers with delicate, drooping petals. Growing 15 to 30 centimeters tall with slender, arching stems emerging from a deep bulb, it has a graceful, woodland-dwelling form. Its leaves are typically basal, lance-shaped, and mottled with grayish-green patterns, creating a distinctive marbled appearance. The flower's pale coloration and elegant drooping form make it a subtle but beautiful woodland understory species.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry woodland, shrubby slopes (+- on serpentine)
Elevation: 100-1100 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Del Norte, Trinity, Mendocino, Tehama, Humboldt
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Lilium: Erythronium has two mottled basal leaves; Lilium has unmottled leaves arranged in whorls up the stem.; vs Scoliopus: Erythronium has nodding flowers with reflexed petals; Scoliopus has upright flowers with twisted, purple-striped petals.; vs Sparaxis: Erythronium has two basal leaves and nodding flowers; Sparaxis has grass-like leaves and upright flowers.; vs Fritillaria: Erythronium has mottled basal leaves; Fritillaria has unmottled narrow leaves arranged up the stem.; vs Tulipa: Erythronium has mottled leaves and nodding flowers with reflexed petals; Tulipa has plain leaves and upright cup-shaped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum native to California?
Yes. Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum bloom?
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum grow?
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum occurs in Siskiyou, Del Norte, Trinity, Mendocino, Tehama, Humboldt, at elevations of 100-1100 m.
What plant family does Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum belong to?
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Erythronium.
Is Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum rare or endangered?
Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.