Erythronium taylorii

Pilot ridge fawn lily, Pilot Ridge Fawn Lily

Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Pilot ridge fawn lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains (Tuolumne County) in forest openings and rocky ledges at elevations of 1,300 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers with a bright yellow lower third and delicate pink tinge, displaying elegant lanceolate perianth parts 25 to 45 millimeters long. Growing with slender green stems and a narrow bulb 40 to 70 millimeters tall, it emerges from rocky terrain with graceful presence. Its leaves are 18 to 35 centimeters long, elliptic to lanceolate in shape, displaying a distinctive wavy margin and vibrant green coloration. The flower features ten slender yellow stamens and a white to cream-colored style, creating a delicate and intricate botanical display.

Habitat: Forest openings, rocky ledges

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: 1300-1400 m

Bioregions: c SNH (Tuolumne Co.).

California counties: Tuolumne

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.