Lilium parryi
Lemon lily
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lilium parryi (Lemon lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by bright yellow fragrant flowers.
Lemon lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in Transverse and Peninsular Ranges in montane conifer forest meadows and streams at elevations of 1,300 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with maroon spots, funnel-shaped and strongly fragrant, reaching 7.7 to 10.7 centimeters long. Growing up to 1.9 meters tall with spreading-elongate bulbs, it develops leaves in 1 to 5 whorls or alternately in young plants, with narrow linear foliage extending 7 to 29 centimeters. Its leaves are distinctive, with straight margins and arranged in distinctive circular patterns around the stem. The plant bears between 1 and 31 flowers that spread or slightly nod, with pale magenta-brown anthers and rusty-orange pollen adding to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; bright yellow fragrant flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, streams in montane conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-2600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Lilium parryi blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 parryi native to California?
Yes. Lilium parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium parryi bloom?
Lilium parryi blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Lilium parryi grow?
Lilium parryi occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of 1300-2600 m.
What plant family does Lilium parryi belong to?
Lilium parryi is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium parryi rare or endangered?
Lilium parryi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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.