Calochortus pulchellus
Mount diablo fairy-lantern, Mount Diablo Fairy-Lantern
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calochortus pulchellus (Mount diablo fairy-lantern) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by nodding spherical flowers.
Mount diablo fairy-lantern is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northeastern San Francisco Bay region around Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County on wooded slopes at elevations of 200 to 800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces light yellow flowers with unique spheric perianths that are narrowly ovate, approximately 25 to 33 millimeters long, with thick ciliate hairs. Growing with erect, stout stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges with distinctive green herbage and persistent basal leaves up to 40 centimeters long. Its leaves are primarily basal with 2 to 3 reduced cauline leaves, arranged along the stem with a characteristic nodding orientation. The fruit is nodding and winged, measuring 20 to 30 millimeters long, containing irregular dark brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated to Mount Diablo; nodding spherical flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wooded slopes, rarely chaparral, generally northern aspect
Elevation: 200-800 m
California counties: Contra Costa, Napa, Alameda, Humboldt, Mendocino, Yolo, Lake, Sonoma
Bloom period
Calochortus pulchellus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 pulchellus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus pulchellus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus pulchellus bloom?
Calochortus pulchellus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus pulchellus grow?
Calochortus pulchellus occurs in Contra Costa, Napa, Alameda, Humboldt, Mendocino, Yolo, Lake, Sonoma, at elevations of 200-800 m.
What plant family does Calochortus pulchellus belong to?
Calochortus pulchellus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus pulchellus rare or endangered?
Calochortus pulchellus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.