Calochortus tiburonensis

Tiburon mariposa lily

Family: Liliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened

Tiburon mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Central Coast bioregion at Ring Mountain in Marin County within serpentine grassland at elevations of 50 to 150 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces light yellow-green flowers flecked with purple-brown, with delicate oblanceolate petals that are ciliate and hairy, creating an elegant bell-shaped perianth. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with generally branched stems, it emerges with a long basal leaf up to 70 centimeters and several reduced cauline leaves ascending the stem. Its distinctive petals feature a depressed nectary bordered by a ciliate membrane and short hair rows, giving the flower a complex and intricate appearance. The fruit is erect and angled, measuring 20 to 30 millimeters long with an acute tip, containing irregular dark brown to black seeds.

Habitat: Serpentine grassland

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 50-150 m

Bioregions: n CCo (Ring Mtn, Marin Co.).

California counties: Marin

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