Calochortus panamintensis
Panamint mariposa lily
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Calochortus panamintensis (Panamint mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive large white flowers in desert mountains.
Panamint mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in northern Desert Mountains (Panamint Range) in dry pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 2,500 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white flowers tinged with lilac, 20 to 40 millimeters long, with distinctive green stripes on the back and a red or purple nectary surrounded by a fringed membrane. Growing 40 to 60 centimeters tall with generally simple stems and small bulblets, it develops an elegant upright form. Its basal leaves are 10 to 20 centimeters long and wither during flowering, while upper cauline leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long and tightly inrolled. The erect fruit is approximately 7 centimeters long, linear, and angled with an acuminate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinctive large white flowers in desert mountains
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 2500-3200 m
California counties: Inyo, Kern
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Calochortus panamintensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 panamintensis native to California?
Yes. Calochortus panamintensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus panamintensis bloom?
Calochortus panamintensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus panamintensis grow?
Calochortus panamintensis occurs in Inyo, Kern, at elevations of 2500-3200 m.
What plant family does Calochortus panamintensis belong to?
Calochortus panamintensis is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus panamintensis rare or endangered?
Calochortus panamintensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, 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.