Lilium humboldtii subsp. ocellatum, commonly known as Humboldt’s Lily or Ocellated Humboldt Lily, is a perennial herb that is native to the oak woodlands, pine forests, and grassy slopes of California, particularly in the Southwestern region. It typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) and a width of 1-1.5 feet (0.3-0.5 meters). This lily is notable for its striking flowers, which are large, showy, and can be orange, red, or yellow with brownish-purple spots, blooming in the summer. The plant’s form is upright with lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls along the stem.

Humboldt’s Lily is valued for its spectacular flowers, which make it a desirable addition to native plant gardens, woodland gardens, and as a naturalizing plant in informal settings. It is also used for cut flowers due to its impressive bloom. In cultivation, it requires part shade to mimic its native understory conditions, and it thrives in well-draining loam or clay soils with medium moisture. While it is relatively low maintenance, it is important to protect it from snails and slugs, which can damage the foliage and flowers.CC BY-SA 4.0