Subalpine Mariposa Lily (Calochortus subalpinus) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,144 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Subalpine Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Subalpine Mariposa Lily
Calochortus subalpinus (subalpine mariposa lily) is a North American species of flowering plants in the lily family native to the northwestern United States (States of Washington and Oregon).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Subalpine Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 866 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 278 | July | Jun–Aug |
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 Subalpine Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Subalpine Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington.