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Fawn Lilies

Naturally occurring hybridized fawn lilies along the Mule Mountain Trail in the Upper Applegate Valley of southern Oregon. Erythronium citrinum x hendersonii

With the unusually warm April weather in the Klamath-Siskiyou lately the fawn lilies (Erythronium spp.) have already bloomed at lower elevations, and are now starting to bloom higher up as the snow melts.

As many plants do, fawn lily species can hybridize. Along the Mule Mountain Trail, in the Upper Applegate Valley of southern Oregon, the fawn lilies have hybridized to make an outstanding floral display of all different color variations. The two species that have hybridized are Henderson’s fawn lily (Erythronium hendersonii) and lemon colored fawn lily (Erythronium citrinum). As a hybrid they are Erythronium citrinum x hendersonii.

Henderson’s fawn lily (Erythronium hendersonii) in the Williams Valley

The purple Henderson’s fawn lily are found throughout the Applegate Valley, but as you make your way up the watershed, along the main stem of the Applegate River, Henderson’s fawn lily runs into the population of lemon colored fawn lily that occurs in the upper reaches and tributary streams of the river. Where the two populations merge they hybridize, creating an unusual and fantastic display.

Other Fawn Lilies of the Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion

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Fawn lilies in a backyard rock garden. Fawn lilies are great garden plants! From seed it may take up to four years to get a bloom, so growing fawn lilies from seed is a labor of love.