Lilium occidentale
Western lily
(c) Ryan Sorrells, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Lilium occidentale (Western lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by two-toned red/yellow flowers with green backs.
Western lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern coastal California near Crescent City and Humboldt Bay in coastal scrub, prairie, and conifer forest gaps at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces large bell-shaped flowers with distinctive two-toned perianth parts: red to maroon on the upper half and yellow to green at the base, creating a striking color gradient. Growing up to 2.2 meters tall with a spreading-elongate bulb, it develops 1 to 9 whorls of linear leaves along its stem. Its leaves extend 4 to 27 centimeters long, arranged in distinctive whorls with unwavy margins. The flowers are pendent, typically solitary or in clusters up to 13, with dull red or magenta anthers and perianth parts measuring 4.3 to 8.1 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; two-toned red/yellow flowers with green backs are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub or prairie, gaps in conifer forest
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Sonoma, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lilium occidentale blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 occidentale native to California?
Yes. Lilium occidentale is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium occidentale bloom?
Lilium occidentale blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lilium occidentale grow?
Lilium occidentale occurs in Sonoma, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Lilium occidentale belong to?
Lilium occidentale is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium occidentale rare or endangered?
Lilium occidentale carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.