Lilium humboldtii is a Sierra foothill lily, but also occurs in southern California in moist coastal canyons. It can grow to be quite tall, up to six to eight feet with flowers carried above the leaves. It has leaves arranged in whorls and flowers in a tiger pattern of reflexed yellow-orange petals dotted with brown or red spots. It is best grown in part shade with occasional summer water. First two photos by Mary Sue Ittner. Photos 3-5 by Ron Parsons, of plants in situ, various localities in Butte and El Dorado County, Oregon. Photo 6 shows a bulb in cultivation by Pontus Wallstén.
Photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen. Photos 1-3 were taken at the UC Botanical Garden. Photo 4 shows seedlings sprouted by moist stratifying in the fridge for 5 weeks, then planted during early November in the Bay Area.
The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen at the Tilden Botanic Garden. Photos 1-3 show the various leaf forms of this species. Photo 4 shows the plant in a desert landscape. This particular form is from southern California.
The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen at the Tilden Botanic Garden. They show several clones of thin-petalled flower forms of this species from southern California.
Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum, also known as the "Oscellated Humboldt Lily" is found San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Bernardino County, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, Riverside County, San Luis Obispo County, and Orange County California, often found growing along streamsides. This is a rare and endangered taxon with a limited distribution. The first photo below by Ron Parsons was taken in situ of plants in San Diego County California and the second was taken by Jim Duggan. Photo 3 of a bulb of Lilium humbolditii ssp. occellatum by Pontus Wallstén.
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