Yellow to bright orangish-red, 3-petaled flowers bloom in a cluster on top of 8 inch long, sometimes twisted stems. Grayish-green leaves are narrow and grass-like. Mariposa means "butterfly" in Spanish.
Petals yellow to bright orangish-red; petal gland round, depressed, sometimes deeply so, surrounded by conspicuously fringed membrane. Stems sometimes twisted.
Habitat
Open or shrubby flats, rocky slopes and desert areas in dry soil.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have 3 yellow to bright orangish-red petals with purple to black bases. Flowers are up to 3 inches wide, usually have a brownish spot near base. They grow in clusters of up to 6 flowers.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The leaves are narrow and grasslike with margins that curl upward.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules are erect, 2 to 2-1/2 inches, longitudinally striped, lanceolate, angled.
Seeds are flat.