Erythronium purpurascens
Plain leaf fawn lily
(c) Michael Warner, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erythronium purpurascens (Plain leaf fawn lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by small flowers without basal folds diagnostic.
Plain leaf fawn lily is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in open forests, meadows, and rocky places at elevations of 1,100 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with a yellow base that age to pink-purple, with 10 to 20 millimeter perianth parts arranged in clusters of 1 to 6 blooms. Growing with slender stems 7 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small bulb 25 to 40 millimeters long. Its leaves are 6 to 15 centimeters long, lanceolate to narrowly ovate with slightly wavy margins in a distinctive green color. The flower's yellow stamens and yellow style create a delicate contrast against the white and pink-purple petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; small flowers without basal folds diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open forest, meadows, rocky places
Elevation: 1100-2700 m
California counties: Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Tehama, Butte, Calaveras, Lake, Lassen, Trinity, Tuolumne, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Humboldt
Bloom period
Erythronium purpurascens blooms May-Aug.
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 purpurascens native to California?
Yes. Erythronium purpurascens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythronium purpurascens bloom?
Erythronium purpurascens blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Erythronium purpurascens grow?
Erythronium purpurascens occurs in Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Tehama, Butte, Calaveras and other counties, at elevations of 1100-2700 m.
What plant family does Erythronium purpurascens belong to?
Erythronium purpurascens is in the Liliaceae family, genus Erythronium.
What habitat does Erythronium purpurascens grow in?
Erythronium purpurascens grows in Open forest, meadows, rocky places.
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.