Calochortus leichtlinii
Leichtlin's mariposa lily
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus leichtlinii (Leichtlin's mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by white to smoky-blue petals with dark spots, arrow-shaped anthers.
Leichtlin's mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, northern Cascade Ranges, Modoc Plateau, and eastern Sierra Nevada in open, gravelly places within chaparral and montane conifer forest at elevations of 1,300 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to smoky-blue flowers with distinctive red or black spots above the nectary, often tinged with pink and measuring 10 to 40 millimeters across. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with a single bulblet nestled at the base of its stem, it develops an approximately umbel-like flower arrangement with one to five erect blossoms. Its basal leaves measure 10 to 15 centimeters long and gradually wither, while cauline leaves are reduced and shorter, ranging from 2 to 9 centimeters. The fruit develops as an erect, narrowly lanceolate structure 3 to 6 centimeters long with an acute tip, containing flat, dark brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; white to smoky-blue petals with dark spots, arrow-shaped anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open, gravelly places in chaparral or montane conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-4000 m
California counties: Fresno, El Dorado, Nevada, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Amador, Mariposa, Tulare, Mono, Placer, Tuolumne, Butte, Modoc, Alpine, Madera, Sierra, Kern, Inyo, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity
Outside California: southern Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Calochortus leichtlinii blooms Jun-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 leichtlinii native to California?
Yes. Calochortus leichtlinii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus leichtlinii bloom?
Calochortus leichtlinii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Calochortus leichtlinii grow?
Calochortus leichtlinii occurs in Fresno, El Dorado, Nevada, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Amador, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 1300-4000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus leichtlinii belong to?
Calochortus leichtlinii is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus leichtlinii grow in?
Calochortus leichtlinii grows in Common. Open, gravelly places in chaparral or montane conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.