Kingdom Plantae Family Liliaceae Scientific name Erythronium californicum Rank Species | Order Liliales Genus Erythronium Higher classification Erythronium | |
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Similar Erythronium, Erythronium tuolumnense, Erythronium hendersonii, Erythronium revolutum, Erythronium 'Pagoda' | ||
Erythronium californicum (common name California fawn lily) is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, endemic to moist woodland habitats in the mountains of Northern California.
Description
It is an herbaceous hardy perennial growing from a pointed bulb 3 to 6 cm wide and producing two basal leaves which are sometimes spotted with brown. The reddish-green stalks grow up to 30 cm (12 in) tall and each bears one to three nodding, slightly scented flowers in spring. The flower has yellowish-white tepals 2 to 4 cm long, sometimes with red or brown banding or striping toward the bases. The stamens, anthers, and stigma are whitish in color.
This plant and the cultivar 'White Beauty' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.