It is native to northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in mountain forests, woodlands, and coastal meadows.

It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its showy crimson and cream flowers.

Dichelostemma ida-maia is a perennial which erects a tall, naked stem topped with an umbel of six to 20 flowers.

The tip of each flower lobe curls back to reveal a shiny white underside.

The curls rim the mouth of the tubular flower in a corona, surrounding the small anthers and a stalked ovary.