Calochortus amoenus
Purple fairy lantern
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus amoenus (Purple fairy lantern) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Purple fairy lantern is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Madera and Fresno counties, growing on grassy slopes in partial shade at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces rose-colored flowers that are spheric and closed at the tip, with petals 16 to 25 millimeters long that are sparsely ciliate and hairy. Growing with leafy stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall and appearing slightly glaucous, the plant has a distinctive growth habit with basal leaves up to 50 centimeters long and 2 to 5 cauline leaves. Its leaves are acuminate, with basal leaves remaining persistent throughout the growing season. The fruit is nodding and widely elliptic, measuring 20 to 30 millimeters long and slightly winged.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy slopes in partial shade
Elevation: 500-1500 m
California counties: Tulare, Madera, Kern, Fresno, Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, Tuolumne, Alameda, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Calochortus amoenus 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 amoenus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus amoenus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus amoenus bloom?
Calochortus amoenus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus amoenus grow?
Calochortus amoenus occurs in Tulare, Madera, Kern, Fresno, Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 500-1500 m.
What plant family does Calochortus amoenus belong to?
Calochortus amoenus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus amoenus grow in?
Calochortus amoenus grows in Grassy slopes in partial shade.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calochortus argillosus — Clay mariposa lily
- Calochortus bruneaunis — Bruneau mariposa lily
- Calochortus catalinae — Catalina mariposa lily
- Calochortus clavatus — Club haired mariposa
- Calochortus clavatus var. avius — Pleasant valley mariposa lily
- Calochortus clavatus var. clavatus — Club-haired mariposa lily
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.