Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by large white flowers with yellow midrib, strong fragrance.
Washington lily is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in mixed conifer forest at elevations of 1,050 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with a distinctive yellow midrib, recurving gracefully in the upper third and reaching 7.9 to 11.3 centimeters long. Growing with an oblique-elongate bulb, it develops tall stems with multiple large, elegant flowers. Its leaves are arranged along the stem, creating a dramatic vertical display of white blossoms against forest understory. The flower's delicate off-white anthers turn pale pink or dirty yellow, adding subtle color variation to its pristine white petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; large white flowers with yellow midrib, strong fragrance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed conifer forest
Elevation: 1050-1900 m
California counties: Calaveras, Sierra, Tehama, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tuolumne, Lassen, Amador, Del Norte, Humboldt
Bloom period
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum blooms Jun-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 washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum native to California?
Yes. Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum bloom?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum grow?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum occurs in Calaveras, Sierra, Tehama, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Mariposa, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 1050-1900 m.
What plant family does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum belong to?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum is in the Liliaceae family, genus Lilium.
What habitat does Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum grow in?
Lilium washingtonianum subsp. washingtonianum grows in Mixed conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Lilium kelleyanum — Kelley's lily
- Prosartes hookeri — Drops of gold
- Prosartes parvifolia — Siskiyou bells
- Prosartes smithii — Largeflower fairybells
- Prosartes sp.
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.