Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens
Purple-flowered washington lily, Purple-Flowered Washington Lily
Photo: parent species Lilium washingtonianum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens (Purple-flowered washington lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by flowers turning deep pink/lavender with purple backs, no yellow midrib.
Purple-flowered washington lily is a native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in Douglas-fir forest at elevations of 300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces lavender to deep pink flowers with recurved perianth parts 6 to 9.5 centimeters long and cream anthers that turn yellow. Growing from an oblique-elongate to nearly erect-ovoid bulb with unsegmented or partially segmented scales, it forms tall stems with distinctive lily architecture. Its flower petals feature a remarkable color transition, with deep pink or lavender tones and a faint purple abaxial surface, complemented by a yellow midrib. The plant produces fruit with distinctive ribbed characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; flowers turning deep pink/lavender with purple backs, no yellow midrib
Habitat and range
Habitat: Douglas-fir forest
Elevation: 300-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Plumas, Shasta, Lake
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 subsp. purpurascens native to California?
Yes. Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens bloom?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens grow?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Plumas, Shasta, Lake, at elevations of 300-2000 m.
What plant family does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens belong to?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
Is Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens rare or endangered?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. purpurascens carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum
- Lilium bolanderi — Bolander's lily
- Lilium columbianum — Columbia lily
- Lilium humboldtii — Humboldt's lily
- Lilium humboldtii subsp. humboldtii — Humboldt lily
- Lilium humboldtii subsp. ocellatum — Ocellated humboldt lily
- Prosartes hookeri — Drops of gold
- Prosartes parvifolia — Siskiyou bells
- Prosartes smithii — Largeflower fairybells
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.