Calochortus invenustus
Plain mariposa lily
(c) James M. Maley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus invenustus (Plain mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by plain white/pale petals with green stripes on back.
Plain mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, central and southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, southeastern San Francisco Bay Area, south Coast Ranges, southwestern California, and Mojave Desert in dry, generally granitic montane conifer forest at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white or lilac flowers with occasional purple spots, bell-shaped and 20 to 40 millimeters long with green stripes on the outer surface. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with slender, generally simple stems and distinctive bulblets, it emerges with glaucous (bluish-gray) appearance. Its basal leaves are 10 to 20 centimeters long and deeply channeled, while upper stem leaves are reduced and inrolled. The fruit is an erect, linear capsule 5 to 7 centimeters long with a long-tapered tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; plain white/pale petals with green stripes on back
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry soil, generally granitic, generally montane conifer forest
Elevation: 1500-3000 m
California counties: Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, Kern, Mono, Fresno, Inyo, Monterey, Alameda, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Santa Clara, Madera, Nevada
Bloom period
Calochortus invenustus blooms May-Aug.
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 invenustus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus invenustus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus invenustus bloom?
Calochortus invenustus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Calochortus invenustus grow?
Calochortus invenustus occurs in Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus invenustus belong to?
Calochortus invenustus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus invenustus grow in?
Calochortus invenustus grows in dry soil, generally granitic, generally montane conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Calochortus luteus — Yellow mariposa lily
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.