Erythronium revolutum
Coast fawn lily, Coast Fawn Lily
(c) Corvi Zeman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Erythronium revolutum (Coast fawn lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by violet-pink flowers completely diagnostic.
Coast fawn lily is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, and northern coastal ranges in streambanks and wet woodland places at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces violet-pink flowers with yellow bands at the base, 25 to 40 millimeters long, nestled among 1 to 3 blooms. Growing with slender stems up to 40 centimeters tall, it emerges from a narrowly ovoid bulb 35 to 50 millimeters in size. Its leaves are 10 to 25 centimeters long, widely lanceolate to ovate, and distinctively mottled with brown or white markings. The flower's stamens are white to pink with yellow anthers, creating a delicate and complex botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; violet-pink flowers completely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, wet places in woodland
Elevation: < 1350 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, Marin, Siskiyou, Ventura, Lake, Sierra
Outside California: to southern British Columbia
Bloom period
Erythronium revolutum blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 revolutum native to California?
Yes. Erythronium revolutum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythronium revolutum bloom?
Erythronium revolutum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Erythronium revolutum grow?
Erythronium revolutum occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, Marin, Siskiyou, Ventura, Lake and other counties, at elevations of < 1350 m.
What plant family does Erythronium revolutum belong to?
Erythronium revolutum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Erythronium.
Is Erythronium revolutum rare or endangered?
Erythronium revolutum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
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.