Calochortus venustus
Butterfly mariposa lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus venustus (Butterfly mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by the double blotch pattern and glaucous habit.
Butterfly mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, central and southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, Central Western California, Western Transverse Ranges, and San Gabriel Mountains in sandy, often granitic soil within grasslands, woodlands, and yellow-pine forests at elevations of 300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces spectacular flowers ranging from white, yellow, purple, pink, to dark red, each 30 to 50 millimeters long with distinctive dark central blotches and pale secondary markings. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with a branched stem and small bulblets, it emerges from a basal rosette of leaves that wither as the plant matures. Its basal leaves reach 10 to 20 centimeters long, with 0 to 2 smaller cauline leaves along the stem, creating an elegant, glaucous-tinged appearance. The fruit is an erect, linear capsule 5 to 6 centimeters long, containing flat, light tan to yellow seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; key features are the double blotch pattern and glaucous habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy (often granitic) soil in grassland, woodland, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 300-2700 m
California counties: Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Kern, Calaveras, San Luis Obispo, Tuolumne, Alameda, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Madera, San Bernardino, Fresno, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Lake, Stanislaus, Monterey, Amador, El Dorado, Butte, Merced, Orange, Plumas, Tehama, San Diego, San Joaquin, Napa, Mendocino, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Placer, Yuba, Riverside
Bloom period
Calochortus venustus 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 venustus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus venustus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus venustus bloom?
Calochortus venustus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus venustus grow?
Calochortus venustus occurs in Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Kern, Calaveras, San Luis Obispo, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 300-2700 m.
What plant family does Calochortus venustus belong to?
Calochortus venustus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus venustus grow in?
Calochortus venustus grows in Sandy (often granitic) soil in grassland, woodland, 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.