Watsonia meriana
Bulbil bugle lily
(c) Chris Vynbos, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Chris Vynbos · licence
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Watsonia meriana (Bulbil bugle lily) is a non-native California herb in the Iridaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species. Geographically isolated to NCo and CCo regions with larger flowers (6-7 cm) than W. marginata.
Bulbil bugle lily is a naturalized perennial found in the northern and central California Coast bioregions in disturbed roadsides and fields at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces flowers with perianth segments 6 to 7 centimeters long in oblong to obovate shapes. Growing with tall stems reaching 1 to 1.5 meters in height, it develops 5 to 6 leaves that are less than 60 centimeters long and under 6 centimeters wide. Its leaves are relatively narrow and numerous, spreading along the tall stem in a characteristic arrangement. The plant develops an open inflorescence with 10 to 15 flowers, creating a distinctive display in its disturbed habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species. Geographically isolated to NCo and CCo regions with larger flowers (6-7 cm) than W. marginata.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon, but sometimes locally abundant. Disturbed roadsides, fields
Elevation: < 50 m
California counties: Mendocino, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Marin
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Watsonia meriana blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Crocosmia: Watsonia has upright spikes with flowers in two rows; Crocosmia has arching spikes.; vs Chasmanthe: Watsonia has equal-sized flower lobes; Chasmanthe has one much larger upper lobe.; vs Gladiolus: Watsonia has style branches divided to middle; Gladiolus has undivided or shallowly notched styles.; vs Ixia: Watsonia has tall spikes to several feet; Ixia is smaller with star-shaped flowers on shorter stems.; vs Freesia: Watsonia has flowers in two rows; Freesia has one-sided spikes with strongly fragrant tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Watsonia meriana native to California?
No. Watsonia meriana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Watsonia meriana bloom?
Watsonia meriana blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Watsonia meriana grow?
Watsonia meriana occurs in Mendocino, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Marin, at elevations of < 50 m.
What plant family does Watsonia meriana belong to?
Watsonia meriana is in the Iridaceae family, genus Watsonia.
Is Watsonia meriana invasive in California?
Watsonia meriana is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
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.