Flower profile
Common starlily
Leucocrinum montanum
Common starlily is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming
Quick look
Leucocrinum montanum, commonly known as the common starlily, sandlily, or mountain lily, is the only species in the monotypic genus Leucocrinum, which was placed in the asparagus family in 2009. It is a common and widespread early spring wildflower on the shortgrass prairie, the central and southern Rocky Mountains, and the Intermountain West.
- It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 13 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. NatureServe
- In Colorado, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
- In Wyoming, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 5,240 research-grade sightings of it in Colorado, ranking #16 among the 110 flowers on our Colorado list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 331 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #90 among the 107 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 245 research-grade sightings of it in South Dakota, ranking #56 among the 108 flowers on our South Dakota list. iNaturalist
Common starlily gift ideas
Handmade common starlily gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Common starlily art print
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Common starlily greeting card
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Common starlily mug
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Common starlily earrings
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Common starlily embroidery pattern
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Common starlily sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 3 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Native | March–May | 5,240 |
| Wyoming | Native | April–June | 331 |
| South Dakota | Native | April–May | 245 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Colorado
- No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Colorado.
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- South Dakota
- No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AZ (S1), ND (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension
ASPCA's entry “Sand Lily” (Leucocrinum montanum) lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records common starlily in 13 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
Colorado counties with USDA records: Archuleta, Baca, Boulder, Custer, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Jefferson, Kit Carson, La Plata, Larimer, Las Animas, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Routt, Sedgwick, Weld.
Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Johnson, Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Platte, Sheridan, Weston.
South Dakota counties with USDA records: Butte, Custer, Fall River, Harding, Jackson, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington.
More Colorado flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LEMO4.
- iNaturalist, Leucocrinum montanum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Leucocrinum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Colorado: Colorado noxious weed lists A, B and C (8 CCR 1206-2, eff. May 15, 2025).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- South Dakota: South Dakota statewide noxious weeds (ARSD 12:62:03:01.06).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Leucocrinum montanum (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
- Photo: L. Reid via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.