Calochortus bruneaunis
Bruneau mariposa lily
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus bruneaunis (Bruneau mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by high elevation and distinctive petal markings.
Bruneau mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in northern and eastern Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in dry shrublands and pinyon/juniper woodlands at elevations of 1,700 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this lily produces white flowers tinged with lilac and marked by a distinctive median green stripe, with dark red or purple arches above a yellow nectary. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with a simple stem and small bulblets, it has basal leaves up to 20 centimeters long that wither during flowering. Its flowers feature narrowly obovate petals 20 to 40 millimeters long, with delicate golden hairs near the nectary and a round, fringed nectary densely covered in short hairs. The mature plant produces erect, lance-linear fruits 3 to 7 centimeters long with light tan, nearly flat seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; high elevation and distinctive petal markings
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry shrub- or grassland in pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1700-3000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Tulare, Sierra, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Utah
Bloom period
Calochortus bruneaunis blooms May-Aug.
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 bruneaunis native to California?
Yes. Calochortus bruneaunis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus bruneaunis bloom?
Calochortus bruneaunis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Calochortus bruneaunis grow?
Calochortus bruneaunis occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Tulare, Sierra, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, at elevations of 1700-3000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus bruneaunis belong to?
Calochortus bruneaunis is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus bruneaunis grow in?
Calochortus bruneaunis grows in dry shrub- or grassland in pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis — Slender mariposa lily
- Calochortus clavatus var. pallidus — Clubhair 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.