Calochortus concolor
Golden bowl mariposa
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus concolor (Golden bowl mariposa) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by straight stout stem and lack of bulblets.
Golden bowl mariposa is a California native perennial found in the southern Transverse Ranges and Peninsular Ranges on dry, often granitic slopes in chaparral and yellow-pine forest at elevations of 600 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers 30 to 50 millimeters long with dark red-blotched sepals, featuring delicate yellow hairs near the flower's nectary. Growing with straight, generally stout stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges from a bulb with minimal bulblet production. Its leaves are primarily basal, 10 to 20 centimeters long and glaucous, with 2 to 4 cauline leaves that are 5 to 15 centimeters long and inrolled. The fruit develops as an erect, narrowly lanceolate capsule 5 to 8 centimeters long with distinct angular edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; straight stout stem and lack of bulblets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, often granitic slopes in chaparral, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 600-2500 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Calochortus concolor blooms May-Jul.
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 concolor native to California?
Yes. Calochortus concolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus concolor bloom?
Calochortus concolor blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus concolor grow?
Calochortus concolor occurs in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, at elevations of 600-2500 m.
What plant family does Calochortus concolor belong to?
Calochortus concolor is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus concolor grow in?
Calochortus concolor grows in Dry, often granitic slopes in chaparral, yellow-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.