Erythronium tuolumnense
Tuolumne fawn lily
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erythronium tuolumnense (Tuolumne fawn lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Sierra foothills location diagnostic.
Tuolumne fawn lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada foothills (Tuolumne County) in open woodland and shady canyons at elevations of 600 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with delicate inner perianth parts that have small sac-like folds at the base. Growing with slender stems 15 to 35 centimeters tall, it emerges from an ovoid bulb that readily produces sessile bulblets. Its leaves are 15 to 35 centimeters long, elliptic to ovate in shape, with entire to slightly wavy margins in a rich green color. The plant's delicate yellow flowers are borne on green to reddish stems, with 1 to 5 blooms per inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; Sierra foothills location diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland, shady canyons
Elevation: 600-1000 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Alameda, Nevada
Bloom period
Erythronium tuolumnense blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 tuolumnense native to California?
Yes. Erythronium tuolumnense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythronium tuolumnense bloom?
Erythronium tuolumnense blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Erythronium tuolumnense grow?
Erythronium tuolumnense occurs in Tuolumne, Alameda, Nevada, at elevations of 600-1000 m.
What plant family does Erythronium tuolumnense belong to?
Erythronium tuolumnense is in the Liliaceae family, genus Erythronium.
Is Erythronium tuolumnense rare or endangered?
Erythronium tuolumnense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erythronium californicum — California fawn lily
- Erythronium citrinum — Cream fawnlily
- Erythronium citrinum var. citrinum — Lemon-colored fawn lily
- Erythronium citrinum var. roderickii — Scott mountains fawn lily
- Erythronium grandiflorum subsp. grandiflorum — Glacier lily
- Erythronium helenae — St. helena fawn lily
- Fritillaria affinis — Checker lily
- Fritillaria agrestis — Stinkbells
- Fritillaria atropurpurea — Mountain fritillary
- Fritillaria biflora — Chocolate lily
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.