Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum
Leopard lily, Leopard Lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum (Leopard lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by large two-toned flowers and clonal habit.
Leopard lily is a California native perennial found in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Ranges in moist habitats at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this striking lily produces large two-toned flowers 6 to 10 centimeters long with darker petal tips and pale magenta to purple anthers. Growing up to 2.8 meters tall with a strongly clonal habit, the plant emerges from a multi-segmented bulb with distinctive whorled leaves. Its leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem, creating a dramatic vertical structure with multiple flower clusters. The fruit develops 3 to 6 centimeters long, completing the lily's dramatic seasonal transformation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; large two-toned flowers and clonal habit are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places (drier along coast)
Elevation: < 1700 m
California counties: Trinity, Lake, Marin, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Glenn, Siskiyou, Butte, Shasta, Plumas, Monterey, Tehama, Modoc, Sierra, Colusa, Fresno, Alameda, Lassen, Humboldt, Del Norte, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego
Bloom period
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum blooms May-Aug.
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 pardalinum subsp. pardalinum native to California?
Yes. Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum bloom?
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum grow?
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum occurs in Trinity, Lake, Marin, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Glenn, Siskiyou, Butte and other counties, at elevations of < 1700 m.
What plant family does Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum belong to?
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
What habitat does Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum grow in?
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum grows in Moist places (drier 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.