Lilium columbianum
Columbia lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilium columbianum (Columbia lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Columbia lily is a California native perennial found in northwestern bioregions in dry scrub, coastal prairie, and conifer forest gaps, especially along the coast, at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces orange flowers with red-tinged backs, widely bell-shaped and 3.4 to 7.1 centimeters long, hanging pendulously with reflexed petals. Growing up to 1.7 meters tall with erect-ovoid bulbs and ascending stems, it forms 1 to 9 whorls of leaves. Its leaves are wavy-margined, approximately oblanceolate to obovate, measuring 1.5 to 16 centimeters long and varying from glaucous to green. The flowers feature distinctive spreading stamens with yellow anthers that extend beyond the perianth, creating a striking visual display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry scrub, coastal prairie, gaps and roadsides in conifer forest especially along coast
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Tulare, Plumas, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sierra, Fresno, Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho
Bloom period
Lilium columbianum blooms Jun-Jul.
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 columbianum native to California?
Yes. Lilium columbianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium columbianum bloom?
Lilium columbianum blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Lilium columbianum grow?
Lilium columbianum occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Tulare, Plumas, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Lilium columbianum belong to?
Lilium columbianum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
What habitat does Lilium columbianum grow in?
Lilium columbianum grows in dry scrub, coastal prairie, gaps and roadsides in conifer forest especially along coast.
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.