Hesperocallis undulata
Desert lily
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hesperocallis undulata (Desert lily) is a native California herb in the Agavaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to the Sonoran Desert region, representing a unique evolutionary lineage in the agave family.
Desert lily is a California native perennial found in southern California desert bioregions in sandy flats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces large white flowers with silver-green midstripes, 4.5 to 6 centimeters long, with spreading oblanceolate lobes 3 to 4 centimeters in length. Growing with tall, generally simple stems 30 to 180 centimeters high, it emerges from a deep ovoid bulb 4 to 6 centimeters in size. Its mostly basal leaves are blue-green, 20 to 50 centimeters long with distinctively wavy white margins 8 to 15 millimeters wide. The fruit is a 12 to 16 millimeter three-lobed capsule containing flat black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to the Sonoran Desert region, representing a unique evolutionary lineage in the agave family
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Inyo
Outside California: western Arizona
Bloom period
Hesperocallis undulata blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Hooveria: Hesperocallis has prominently wavy leaf margins and desert habitat; Hooveria has flat leaf margins and woodland habitat.; vs Yucca: Hesperocallis has prominently wavy leaf edges and herbaceous growth; Yucca has flat-edged rigid leaves on woody plants.; vs Agave: Hesperocallis has thin wavy-edged leaves and white flowers; Agave has thick rigid leaves and yellow-green flowers.; vs Hesperoyucca: Hesperocallis has wavy leaf margins and silver-striped flowers; Hesperoyucca has flat-edged leaves and plain white flowers.; vs Leucocrinum: Hesperocallis has large flowers on tall stalks and wavy leaves; Leucocrinum has small ground-level flowers and grass-like leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hesperocallis undulata native to California?
Yes. Hesperocallis undulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperocallis undulata bloom?
Hesperocallis undulata blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Hesperocallis undulata grow?
Hesperocallis undulata occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Hesperocallis undulata belong to?
Hesperocallis undulata is in the Agavaceae family, genus Hesperocallis.
What habitat does Hesperocallis undulata grow in?
Hesperocallis undulata grows in Sandy flats.
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.