Calochortus greenei
Greene's mariposa lily
(c) Rob Santry, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calochortus greenei (Greene's mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by purple petals with darker crescent on back.
Greene's mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in eastern Klamath Ranges, northwestern California Ranges, and western Modoc Plateau in shrubby hillsides and open woodland at elevations of 700 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces bell-shaped flowers with perianth segments in shades of green and lilac, featuring 30 to 40 millimeter petals that are purple with a darker crescent and yellow base. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with generally branched stems, it has distinctive basal leaves up to 20 centimeters long and 1 to 2 reduced cauline leaves. Its flowers feature ovate sepals with yellow hairs and a purple spot at the base, accompanied by widely obovate petals with a deeply depressed nectary bordered by wide ciliate membranes. The fruit is an erect, winged elliptic capsule reaching 20 to 25 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; purple petals with darker crescent on back
Habitat and range
Habitat: shrubby hillsides, open woodland
Elevation: +- 700-1100 m.
California counties: Siskiyou
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Calochortus greenei blooms Jun-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 greenei native to California?
Yes. Calochortus greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus greenei bloom?
Calochortus greenei blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus greenei grow?
Calochortus greenei occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of +- 700-1100 m..
What plant family does Calochortus greenei belong to?
Calochortus greenei is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus greenei rare or endangered?
Calochortus greenei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calochortus invenustus — Plain mariposa lily
- Calochortus kennedyi — Desert mariposa lily
- Calochortus kennedyi var. kennedyi — Desert mariposa lily
- Calochortus kennedyi var. munzii — Desert mariposa lily
- Calochortus leichtlinii — Leichtlin's mariposa lily
- Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus — Long-haired star-tulip
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.