Scientific Family
Liliaceae
Other common names
straggling mariposa lily
weakstem mariposa lily
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Calochortus sp.
Height
To 12 inches
Riparian
No
Generally 1 long stem with only 1 or 2 leaves toward the base. The stem may branch and is usually winding and bent or curving. Flowers in shades of white to lavender (light purple), usually 2 to 4.
A flexuous stem that is bent, curved or twisted, sometimes branched, sometimes decumbent, distinguishes this from other Calochortus sp..
Habitat
Dry stony slopes, desert hills, mesas, creosote bush scrub, sagebrush scrub.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are showy in shades of white to lavender (light purple), with a solid yellow band and spots of red at the base of each petal.
Flower color
White to light purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The stem is long and naked with only 1 or 2 small leaves toward the base. The stem may branch and is usually winding and bent or curved.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules are erect, stout and angled, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds are light beige and flat.