Flower profile
Western Lily of the Valley
Maianthemum dilatatum
Western Lily of the Valley 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 April–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Alaska, Oregon, Washington
Quick look
Maianthemum dilatatum is a common rhizomatous perennial flowering plant that is native to western North America from northern California to the Aleutian Islands, and Asia across the Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, and Korea. It grows in coastal temperate rainforests, and is often the dominant groundcover plant in Sitka Spruce forests.
- 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 5 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Washington, Oregon and Alaska. NatureServe
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 5,660 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #23 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 3,818 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #38 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,148 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #37 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. iNaturalist
Western Lily of the Valley gift ideas
Handmade western lily of the valley 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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Western Lily of the Valley art print
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Western Lily of the Valley greeting card
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Western Lily of the Valley mug
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Western Lily of the Valley earrings
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Western Lily of the Valley embroidery pattern
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Western Lily of the Valley sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 3 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Native | May–June | 5,660 |
| Oregon | Native | April–June | 3,818 |
| Alaska | Native | June–July | 1,148 |
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
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Alaska
- No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: ID (S1). (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 page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 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 Western Lily of the Valley in 5 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill.
Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians West, Anchorage, Chugach, Copper River, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Sitka, Yakutat.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile MADI.
- iNaturalist, Maianthemum dilatatum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Maianthemum dilatatum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Maianthemum dilatatum (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: John Brew via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.