Calochortus kennedyi var. munzii
Desert mariposa lily
Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native
Desert mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in northern and eastern Mojave Desert Mountains, including Panamint, Clark Mountain, and Providence Mountain ranges 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 yellow flowers with dark purple-brown anthers, creating a vivid color contrast. Growing with slender stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground bulbs in rocky or heavy soils. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, typically 10 to 20 centimeters long, emerging from the base of the plant. The flower petals are cup-shaped and vibrant yellow, characteristic of the mariposa lily genus.
Habitat: Heavy or rocky soil in creosote-bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Bloom period: Apr-Jun
Elevation: 600-2200 m
Bioregions: n&e DMtns (Panamint, Clark Mtn ranges, Providence Mtns)
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.