Calochortus kennedyi var. kennedyi
Desert mariposa lily
Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native
Desert mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in northern Transverse Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains in creosote-bush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 600 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces striking orange to red flowers with distinctive three-petaled blossoms. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems emerging from a bulbous base, it develops delicate, grass-like foliage. Its leaves are narrow and linear, typically 10 to 20 centimeters long, emerging directly from the bulb base. The flower petals are particularly vibrant in the eastern Desert Mountains, ranging from bright orange to deep red with intricate interior markings.
Habitat: Heavy or rocky soil in creosote-bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Bloom period: Apr-Jun
Elevation: 600-2200 m
Bioregions: n TR, W&I, DMoj
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, Ventura, Mariposa, Riverside
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.