Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

Humboldt Lily

Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum

California Native Plant Society Listed species: list 4.2, species that have restricted distribution within California, moderately threatened (in part due to hikers who pick or remove flowers or the bulbs of this showy flower). 

Range is from Santa Barbara Co. to the San Jacinto and Santa Ana Mountains. A 3-8 ft. tall stout-stemmed plant from a large scaly bulb, occasional in shady areas along intermittent streams, in moist canyons, and riparian oak woodland. Found in Orange County in Coal, Fremont, Silverado, Trabuco, Bell and San Juan Canyons, Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts)  Also found on Camp Pendleton. It is the most spectacular of our native lilies, and is sold as a garden bulb. Flowering: May -  August.

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Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

With nectaring and pollination by Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

With nectaring and pollination by Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

With nectaring and pollination by Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

With nectaring and pollination by Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus. Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6/21/15. © Peter J. Bryant

Perianth parts about 3 in. long, appear smaller because the the distal 4/5 is reflexed; perianth parts yellow or light orange, blotched maroon with lighter red margins, blotches larger toward the tip with wider margins; 6 stamens, 2 in. long with 1/2 in. purple anthers and tan-yellow pollen. Cultivated, Mission Viejo, Orange Co., CA. 6-27-09. © Joan Avise.

Leaves are shiny green, wavy-margined, in 2 to 8 whorls, generally ascending; each whorl 3 1/2 to 5 in. long.   Cultivated, Mission Viejo, Orange Co., CA. 6-27-09. © Joan Avise.

Cultivated, Mission Viejo, Orange Co., CA. 6-27-09. © Joan Avise.

Flowers are nodding, widely spaced along an unbranched stem, up to 30 per stem.  Cultivated, Mission Viejo, Orange Co., CA. 6-27-09. © Joan Avise.

Cultivated, Mission Viejo, Orange Co., CA. 6-27-09. © Joan Avise.

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 4/12/12. © Peter J. Bryant