Lilium humboldtii
Humboldt's lily
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilium humboldtii (Humboldt's lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Tall dry-slope Turk's-cap lily; wavy-margined whorled leaves; non-fragrant nodding orange, maroon-spotted, strongly reflexed flowers;….
Humboldt's lily is a California native perennial found in coastal and inland mountain ranges in mixed conifer and chaparral habitats at elevations ranging from near sea level to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces stunning large pendent flowers in orange or yellow, with perianth parts 5.6 to 9.5 centimeters long that dramatically reflex in their upper 80 percent. Growing to nearly 3 meters tall, the lily emerges from an erect-ovoid bulb with brown-purple stems supporting distinctive whorled leaves. Its leaves are ascending, 4.5 to 14.5 centimeters long, with generally wavy margins and an oblanceolate shape that creates an elegant architectural structure. The flower's distinctive purple anthers bearing red-brown to tan-yellow pollen and widely diverging filaments make this lily a striking botanical specimen in its native landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Tall dry-slope Turk's-cap lily; wavy-margined whorled leaves; non-fragrant nodding orange, maroon-spotted, strongly reflexed flowers; ovoid bulb
Habitat and range
California counties: Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Madera, San Bernardino, Kern, Tulare, Riverside, Amador, Calaveras, Plumas, Butte, Nevada, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Yuba, Placer, El Dorado, Fresno, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo
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 humboldtii native to California?
Yes. Lilium humboldtii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lilium humboldtii grow?
Lilium humboldtii occurs in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Madera, San Bernardino, Kern, Tulare, Riverside and other counties.
What plant family does Lilium humboldtii belong to?
Lilium humboldtii is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
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.