Calochortus minimus
Sierra mariposa lily
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus minimus (Sierra mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive small stature and white flowers.
Sierra mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in southern California Ranges and the Sierra Nevada Highlands in moist, open woodland and lake margins at elevations of 1,200 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate lily produces white flowers (sometimes with blue or purple anthers) in small clusters of 1 to 5 erect blooms, with petals 10 to 14 millimeters long and bell-shaped. Growing with a diminutive stem less than 10 centimeters tall, the plant emerges from a basal leaf cluster up to 20 centimeters long. Its single basal leaf is persistent through flowering, with nearly no cauline leaves and two opposite lanceolate bracts. The fruit is a distinctive nodding, winged capsule 15 to 20 millimeters long, containing irregular yellow to light brown seeds with a distinctive net-like texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinctive small stature and white flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Moist, open woodland, lake margins
Elevation: 1200-3000 m
California counties: Mariposa, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, Amador, Madera, Fresno, Nevada, Placer, Calaveras, Shasta, Sierra, Butte, Plumas, Tehama
Bloom period
Calochortus minimus 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 minimus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus minimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus minimus bloom?
Calochortus minimus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Calochortus minimus grow?
Calochortus minimus occurs in Mariposa, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, Amador, Madera, Fresno, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus minimus belong to?
Calochortus minimus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus minimus grow in?
Calochortus minimus grows in Common. Moist, open woodland, lake margins.
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.