Calochortus albus
White globe lily, fairy-lantern, Fairy-Lantern
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus albus (White globe lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by unique nodding, closed flowers.
White globe lily is a California native perennial found in southern California Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, central western California, northern Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in shady to open woodland and scrub at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers with nodding, nearly closed perianths approximately 20 to 25 millimeters long, featuring distinctive yellow or white glandular hairs on crescent-shaped nectaries. Growing with leafy stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall from a bulb-bearing base, it displays an elegant, somewhat glaucous appearance. Its basal leaves persist up to 70 centimeters long, while cauline leaves range from 5 to 25 centimeters, varying from lanceolate to linear in shape. The fruit is a distinctive nodding capsule 20 to 40 millimeters long with prominent wings, containing irregular dark brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; unique nodding, closed flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Shady to open woodland, scrub
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, Butte, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Tulare, Mariposa, San Mateo, Calaveras, Santa Cruz, Amador, Riverside, Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Madera, San Bernardino, Orange, San Benito, Tuolumne, Nevada, Contra Costa, Fresno, Mendocino, Lake, Yuba, Sierra, Alameda, San Francisco, Napa
Bloom period
Calochortus albus blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Clarkia: Calochortus has 6 stamens and grass-like leaves; Clarkia has 8 stamens and broad stem leaves.; vs Fritillaria: Calochortus flowers open upward/outward in cups; Fritillaria flowers hang downward like bells.; vs Thismia: Calochortus has green leaves and open flowers; Thismia is leafless with closed tubular flowers.; vs Eschscholzia: Calochortus has 6 petals and parallel-veined leaves; Eschscholzia has 4 petals and divided leaves.; vs Sidalcea: Calochortus has 6 petals and grass-like leaves; Sidalcea has 5 petals and rounded lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calochortus albus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus albus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus albus bloom?
Calochortus albus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus albus grow?
Calochortus albus occurs in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, Butte, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus albus belong to?
Calochortus albus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus albus grow in?
Calochortus albus grows in Common. Shady to open woodland, scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.