Erythronium multiscapideum
Sierra fawn lily
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erythronium multiscapideum (Sierra fawn lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by branched flowering stems and recurved stigma lobes diagnostic.
Sierra fawn lily is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, and northern Sierra Nevada in open woodland and shrubby slopes at elevations of 50 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers with yellow bases, 16 to 35 millimeters long, in clusters of 1 to 4 blooms. Growing with slender stems 20 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb that produces bulblets along long, slender rhizomes. Its leaves are 4 to 15 centimeters long, elliptical, and distinctively mottled with brown or white patterns. The plant features delicate white stamens and a white style with small recurved stigma lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; branched flowering stems and recurved stigma lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland, shrubby slopes
Elevation: 50-1200 m
California counties: Butte, Placer, Mariposa, El Dorado, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Yuba, Tehama, Mendocino, Amador, Alameda, Del Norte, Lassen
Bloom period
Erythronium multiscapideum blooms Mar-May.
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 multiscapideum native to California?
Yes. Erythronium multiscapideum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythronium multiscapideum bloom?
Erythronium multiscapideum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Erythronium multiscapideum grow?
Erythronium multiscapideum occurs in Butte, Placer, Mariposa, El Dorado, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 50-1200 m.
What plant family does Erythronium multiscapideum belong to?
Erythronium multiscapideum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Erythronium.
What habitat does Erythronium multiscapideum grow in?
Erythronium multiscapideum grows in Open woodland, shrubby slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.