Calochortus clavatus
Club haired mariposa
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus clavatus (Club haired mariposa) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Stem coarse, often zigzag, 20--100 cm, bulblet-bearing; erect cup-shaped deep-yellow flowers with knobby (club-shaped) petal hairs.
Club haired mariposa is a California native perennial found in foothill woodland and grassland habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with dark banding and striking club-shaped hairs near the nectary, each bloom 30 to 50 millimeters wide with lance-ovate sepals marked red-brown at the base. Growing with coarse, often zigzag stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall that emerge from a bulb, it develops distinctive bulblets during its growth cycle. Its basal leaves are linear, deeply channeled, and 10 to 20 centimeters long, progressively reducing in size up the stem. The fruit is an erect, narrowly lanceolate capsule 6 to 9 centimeters long, containing approximately flat, tan seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Stem coarse, often zigzag, 20--100 cm, bulblet-bearing; erect cup-shaped deep-yellow flowers with knobby (club-shaped) petal hairs
Habitat and range
California counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Fresno, Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Merced, Stanislaus, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Placer
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 clavatus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus clavatus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calochortus clavatus grow?
Calochortus clavatus occurs in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Fresno, Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, El Dorado and other counties.
What plant family does Calochortus clavatus belong to?
Calochortus clavatus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Calochortus coeruleus — Beavertail-grass
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.