Calochortus splendens
Splendid mariposa lily
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus splendens (Splendid mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive large fan-shaped lilac-purple flowers.
Splendid mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in central and northern Coast Ranges, western San Joaquin Valley, central western California, western southwestern California, San Jacinto Mountains, and western edge of the Colorado Desert in grassland, chaparral, and yellow-pine forest at elevations up to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces deep lilac to purple flowers with large, widely fan-shaped petals 30 to 50 millimeters long, generously marked with purple spots and delicate white hairs near the base. Growing with slender stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, the lily emerges from a base with two cauline leaves and long basal leaves that wither during flowering. Its petals are distinctively toothed above and feature a tapered lilac-purple claw, with nectaries densely covered in branched hairs. The fruit is an erect, linear capsule 5 to 7 centimeters long with a long-tapered tip, producing flat, light yellow to tan seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; distinctive large fan-shaped lilac-purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, often granitic soils, grassland, chaparral, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: < 2800 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Fresno, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Santa Barbara, Colusa, Kern, San Benito, Contra Costa, Imperial, Lake, Santa Clara, Tehama, Solano, Glenn, Yolo
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Calochortus splendens blooms May-Jul.
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 splendens native to California?
Yes. Calochortus splendens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus splendens bloom?
Calochortus splendens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus splendens grow?
Calochortus splendens occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Fresno, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 2800 m.
What plant family does Calochortus splendens belong to?
Calochortus splendens is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus splendens grow in?
Calochortus splendens grows in Dry, often granitic soils, grassland, chaparral, yellow-pine forest.
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.