Lilium bolanderi
Bolander's lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Lilium bolanderi (Bolander's lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by glaucous coating and serpentine habitat.
Bolander's lily is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in serpentine soil of chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 150 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces striking red or magenta flowers with salmon or pale yellow undertones, nodding in clusters of 1 to 9 blooms and measuring 3 to 4.7 centimeters long. Growing up to 1.1 meters tall with an erect, ovoid bulb, the lily has distinctive glaucous (bluish-gray) stems and leaves that grow in whorls of 2 to 6. Its leaves are wavy-edged, ascending, and generally obovate or oblanceolate, measuring 1.8 to 7 centimeters long and often cupping the stem. The flower's stamens match the perianth length, with red-magenta anthers producing red-brown, orange, or yellow pollen.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; glaucous coating and serpentine habitat are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine soil in chaparral, conifer forest, generally with
Elevation: 150-1500 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lilium bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Hemerocallis: Lilium has whorled stem leaves; Hemerocallis has all leaves at base in a clump.; vs Fritillaria: Lilium has >12 leaves in whorls; Fritillaria has fewer leaves scattered or whorled.; vs Alstroemeria: Lilium has leaves right-side up; Alstroemeria has twisted leaf bases making leaves upside-down.; vs Amaryllis: Lilium has leafy stems; Amaryllis has naked flower stalks with all leaves at base.; vs Hippeastrum: Lilium has leafy stems and many whorled leaves; Hippeastrum has leafless flower stalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilium bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Lilium bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium bolanderi bloom?
Lilium bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lilium bolanderi grow?
Lilium bolanderi occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, at elevations of 150-1500 m.
What plant family does Lilium bolanderi belong to?
Lilium bolanderi is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium bolanderi rare or endangered?
Lilium bolanderi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
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.