Oakland mariposa lily (Calochortus umbellatus) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,618 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G3.
When to photograph Oakland mariposa lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Oakland mariposa lily
Calochortus umbellatus is a flowering plant in the lily family found only in California in the United States. The common name for this species is Oakland mariposa lily or Oakland star-tulip. The species is a California endemic of limited distribution. It grows primarily in the San Francisco Bay Region with a few isolated populations in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Nevada Counties.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Oakland mariposa lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,618 | April | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (lily family)
Yellow Trout Lily
Checker Lily
White Globe Lily
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Yellow Mariposa Lily
White Fawnlily
Tolmie's pussy ears
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Oakland mariposa lily?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Oakland mariposa lily most often seen?
The most observations come from California.