Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Erythronium purpurascens is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common names purple fawn lily and Sierra Nevada fawn lily. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the high mountains of the southern Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada. This mountain wildflower grows from a bulb 2 to 4 centimeters long and produces two narrow green leaves up to 15 centimeters in length. The erect stalks reach a maximum of 20 centimeters tall and each bears one to six flowers. The flower has white petals with yellow bases which turn purple with age. Each tepal is only one or two centimeters long and curls back. The stamens and their large anthers and the style are yellow. The flowers bloom as the last snow is melting, which might not be until summer.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

8 in Tall

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Color

Yellow, White, Purple

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3

Site type

Meadows, rocky places and open places

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest