Lilium washingtonianum
Washington lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilium washingtonianum (Washington lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Fragrant funnel-shaped, outward-facing white flowers (aging pink); not the reflexed orange Turk's-cap of L. humboldtii/pardalinum.
Washington lily is a California native perennial found in mountainous regions of the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and northern California in mixed conifer forests and open woodlands at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with delicate magenta spots turning deep pink, with large funnel-shaped blossoms nodding gracefully and measuring 6 to 11 centimeters long. Growing up to 2.6 meters tall with slender stems and whorled leaves, it develops an oblique-elongate bulb with unsegmented or partially segmented scales. Its leaves are spreading to ascending, approximately 3 to 13 centimeters long, with oblanceolate blades and slightly wavy margins that clasp the stem. The plant produces strongly fragrant flowers with stamens extending beyond the perianth and cream-colored anthers bearing yellow pollen.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Fragrant funnel-shaped, outward-facing white flowers (aging pink); not the reflexed orange Turk's-cap of L. humboldtii/pardalinum
Habitat and range
California counties: Nevada, Butte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Plumas, Shasta, Placer, Mariposa, Lassen, Fresno, Modoc, El Dorado, Tehama, Madera, Lake, Del Norte, Trinity, Tuolumne
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 washingtonianum native to California?
Yes. Lilium washingtonianum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lilium washingtonianum grow?
Lilium washingtonianum occurs in Nevada, Butte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Plumas, Shasta, Placer, Mariposa and other counties.
What plant family does Lilium washingtonianum belong to?
Lilium washingtonianum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens — Purple-flowered washington lily
- Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum
- Lilium bolanderi — Bolander's lily
- Lilium columbianum — Columbia lily
- Lilium humboldtii — Humboldt's lily
- Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii — Humboldt lily
- Prosartes hookeri — Drops of gold
- Prosartes parvifolia — Siskiyou bells
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.