Calochortus catalinae
Catalina mariposa lily
(c) Aaron H, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS CBR
Calochortus catalinae (Catalina mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by deep purple filaments are distinctive.
Catalina mariposa lily is a native perennial ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in southern coastal California regions including the Channel Islands, western Transverse Ranges, and northern Peninsular Ranges in open grasslands and scrub at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from March to May, this lily produces large white petals tinged with lilac and purple spots, with elegant wedge-shaped flowers 20 to 50 millimeters long and deep purple filaments. Growing 20 to 70 centimeters tall with generally branched stems above ground and distinctive bulblets, it develops an erect structure with reduced cauline leaves. Its basal leaves are flat and 10 to 30 centimeters long, typically withering during flowering, while the flower bracts range from 2 to 10 centimeters in length. The fruit is an erect, narrowly oblong capsule 2 to 5 centimeters long, containing light tan seeds with a distinctive net-like surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; deep purple filaments are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Heavy soil, open grassland or scrub
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, San Diego, Humboldt, Nevada, El Dorado, San Benito, Riverside
Bloom period
Calochortus catalinae blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS CBR
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 catalinae native to California?
Yes. Calochortus catalinae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus catalinae bloom?
Calochortus catalinae blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Calochortus catalinae grow?
Calochortus catalinae occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Calochortus catalinae belong to?
Calochortus catalinae is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus catalinae rare or endangered?
Calochortus catalinae carries California Rare Plant Rank CBR, state rank S3S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Calochortus clavatus var. recurvifolius — Arroyo de la cruz mariposa lily
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.