Calochortus clavatus var. avius
Pleasant valley mariposa lily, Pleasant Valley Mariposa Lily
(c) Skyler K, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Skyler K · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calochortus clavatus var. avius (Pleasant valley mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by petals shorter than sepals.
Pleasant valley mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills in El Dorado and Amador counties, growing in open oak and pine forests at elevations of 900 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers with distinctive petal shapes that are generally shorter than the sepals. Growing 50 to 100 centimeters tall with erect stems that emerge from a bulb, it has an elegant, slender form typical of mariposa lilies. Its lance-shaped leaves are relatively narrow, complementing the delicate flower structure with its deep nectary. The flower's unique petal proportions and habitat specificity make this variety a notable endemic of California's mid-elevation woodlands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; petals shorter than sepals is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open oak/pine forest
Elevation: 900-1800 m
Bloom period
Calochortus clavatus var. avius blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 var. avius native to California?
Yes. Calochortus clavatus var. avius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus clavatus var. avius bloom?
Calochortus clavatus var. avius blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Calochortus clavatus var. avius belong to?
Calochortus clavatus var. avius is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus clavatus var. avius rare or endangered?
Calochortus clavatus var. avius carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Calochortus clavatus var. avius grow in?
Calochortus clavatus var. avius grows in Open oak/pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Calochortus concolor — Golden bowl mariposa
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.