Lilium maritimum
Coast lily
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lilium maritimum (Coast lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat under 150m and red bell-shaped flowers.
Coast lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern North Coast and northern Central Coast bioregions in coastal prairie, scrub, peatland, and gaps in closed-cone pine forest at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces stunning bell-shaped red to red-orange flowers 3.4 to 5 centimeters long, with darker spots concentrated in the mid-basal region and surrounded by light orange or yellow-green coloration. Growing up to 2.5 meters tall (much shorter on coastal bluffs), it develops from a lumpy, spreading-elongate bulb with distinctive one or two-segmented scales. Its leaves are arranged basally, alternately, or in 1 to 3 whorls, measuring 3 to 18 centimeters long and remaining narrow with smooth margins. The plant bears 1 to 13 nodding flowers with light magenta anthers and orange pollen, creating a striking display in its coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; coastal habitat under 150m and red bell-shaped flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal prairie or scrub, peatland, gaps in closed-cone-pine forest
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Mendocino, Del Norte, Sonoma, Marin
Bloom period
Lilium maritimum blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 maritimum native to California?
Yes. Lilium maritimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium maritimum bloom?
Lilium maritimum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lilium maritimum grow?
Lilium maritimum occurs in Mendocino, Del Norte, Sonoma, Marin, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Lilium maritimum belong to?
Lilium maritimum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium maritimum rare or endangered?
Lilium maritimum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
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.