Calochortus simulans

La panza mariposa lily, La Panza Mariposa Lily

Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

La panza mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southeastern Santa Lucia Mountains in central San Luis Obispo County, occurring in sandy grasslands and yellow-pine forests at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate lily produces white to yellow flowers 30 to 50 millimeters long with distinctive dark red nectary spots and sparsely hairy petals. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with generally branched stems and bulblets, the plant forms an approximately umbel-like inflorescence with 1 to 3 erect flowers. Its basal leaves reach 10 to 20 centimeters and tend to wither, while 1 to 3 cauline leaves measure 4 to 10 centimeters long. The flower's bell-shaped perianth features sepals 20 to 30 millimeters long with recurved tips, creating an elegant and distinctive appearance.

Habitat: Sand (often granitic), grassland to yellow-pine forest

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: < 1100 m

Bioregions: se SCoRO (c San Luis Obispo Co.).

California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.