Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus
Long-haired star-tulip
Thayne Tuason (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus (Long-haired star-tulip) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive sparse long hairs on petals.
Long-haired star-tulip is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and northern Modoc Plateau in vernal meadows with heavy clay soil at elevations of 1,200 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces stunning pink to lavender flowers with a distinctive red-purple crescent, 20 to 30 millimeters wide, and bell-shaped perianth. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with a simple stem and bulblets, it emerges from a persistent basal leaf and has one to two cauline leaves. Its basal leaves reach 20 to 30 centimeters long, creating an elegant base for the delicate flower structure. The fruit is an erect, widely elliptic capsule 20 to 25 millimeters long, containing irregular light brown seeds with a distinctive net-like pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinctive sparse long hairs on petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal meadows, heavy clay soil
Elevation: 1200-1900 m
California counties: Shasta, Modoc, Siskiyou
Outside California: to south-central Washington
Bloom period
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus blooms Jun-Aug.
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 longebarbatus var. longebarbatus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus bloom?
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus grow?
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus occurs in Shasta, Modoc, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1200-1900 m.
What plant family does Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus belong to?
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus rare or endangered?
Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.