Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii
Humboldt lily, Humboldt Lily
(c) Steve Berardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii (Humboldt lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by height, flower size, and pollen color.
Humboldt lily is a California native perennial found in southern California Ranges and northern Sierra Nevada Highlands in yellow-pine forest and chaparral openings at elevations of 600 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces striking orange flowers with distinctive magenta spots, the blossoms emerging from bulbs with off-white scales sometimes speckled with purple. Growing to approximately one meter tall with an upright unbranched stem, it emerges from a distinctive bulb with uniquely colored scales. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, arranged in whorls along the stem, providing a striking green backdrop to the vibrant flowers. The large, dramatic lily features pollen in rich rusty-orange or red-brown tones, creating a bold and eye-catching display in its forest and chaparral habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by height, flower size, and pollen color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Yellow-pine forest, chaparral openings
Elevation: (200)600-1100 m
Bloom period
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii 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 humboldtii subsp. humboldtii native to California?
Yes. Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii bloom?
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii belong to?
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii rare or endangered?
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii grow in?
Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii grows in Yellow-pine forest, chaparral openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.