Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis

Slender mariposa lily

Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Slender mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in western Transverse Ranges and southern Gabilan Range in shaded foothill canyons at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate lily produces white petals with distinctive red-brown lines, each 30 to 40 millimeters long and sparsely hairy. Growing with slender stems 20 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges gracefully in protected canyon environments. Its leaves are narrow and emerge from the base of the plant, complementing the elegant flower structure. The petals feature a subtle nectary with striking red-brown markings that distinguish this variety from other mariposa lilies.

Habitat: Shaded foothill canyons

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: < 1000 m

Bioregions: WTR, SnGb.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.