Calochortus syntrophus
Callahan's mariposa lily
(c) Dee Shea Himes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Calochortus syntrophus (Callahan's mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive white flowers with fringed margins and orange nectar hairs.
Callahan's mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and California Ranges in the Cove, Shasta County, within blue-oak woodland at elevations of 500 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this distinctive lily produces white flowers with yellow bases and fringed margins, featuring dark central blotches and reaching 30 to 50 millimeters long. Growing with stout stems 40 to 60 centimeters tall and producing bulblets, it has a glaucous appearance with long basal leaves up to 30 centimeters that are deeply channeled. Its leaves are supplemented by reduced cauline leaves, with the entire plant characterized by erect, bell-shaped flowers that emerge in clusters of 1 to 5. The fruit is an erect, linear capsule 6 to 7 centimeters long, developing from the distinctive white and yellow-based flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; distinctive white flowers with fringed margins and orange nectar hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Abundant where found. Stony sandstone (Kilarc series) in blue-oak woodland
Elevation: 500-1700 m
California counties: Shasta, Tehama
Bloom period
Calochortus syntrophus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 syntrophus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus syntrophus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus syntrophus bloom?
Calochortus syntrophus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus syntrophus grow?
Calochortus syntrophus occurs in Shasta, Tehama, at elevations of 500-1700 m.
What plant family does Calochortus syntrophus belong to?
Calochortus syntrophus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus syntrophus rare or endangered?
Calochortus syntrophus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.