Calochortus excavatus
Inyo county star-tulip, Inyo County Star-Tulip
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Calochortus excavatus (Inyo county star-tulip) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Inyo county star-tulip is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southwestern Sierra Nevada Mountains in grassy meadows within shadscale scrub at elevations of 1,300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive dark purple bases and green stripes, widely bell-shaped and 30 to 40 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and featuring small bulblets, it emerges from a basal leaf cluster that remains persistent through the season. Its basal leaves reach 10 to 20 centimeters long, while cauline leaves become progressively reduced toward the stem's upper portion. The flowers are notable for their widely wedge-shaped white petals with a round nectary encircled by a fringed membrane and sparsely short-haired near the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy meadows in shadscale scrub
Elevation: 1300-2000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Riverside, San Benito
Bloom period
Calochortus excavatus blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 excavatus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus excavatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus excavatus bloom?
Calochortus excavatus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Calochortus excavatus grow?
Calochortus excavatus occurs in Inyo, Mono, Riverside, San Benito, at elevations of 1300-2000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus excavatus belong to?
Calochortus excavatus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus excavatus rare or endangered?
Calochortus excavatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.