Calochortus vestae
Coast range mariposa lily
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus vestae (Coast range mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive crescent/chevron nectary pattern.
Coast range mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in southern Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in mixed-evergreen and yellow-pine forests with clay soil at elevations of 500 to 900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to purple flowers with red-brown central blotches, bell-shaped and 30 to 40 millimeters long, featuring distinctive red lines near the nectary. Growing with slender stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall and generally branched, it develops small bulblets and has both basal and cauline leaves. Its basal leaves measure 10 to 20 centimeters long and typically wither during flowering, while cauline leaves range from 1 to 3 in number and extend 7 to 20 centimeters. The plant produces erect, linear fruits with distinct angular characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinctive crescent/chevron nectary pattern is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay soil in mixed-evergreen or yellow-pine forests
Elevation: 500-900 m
California counties: Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, Shasta, Sonoma, Napa, Butte, Fresno, Tehama, Tuolumne, Trinity, Colusa, Calaveras
Bloom period
Calochortus vestae 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 vestae native to California?
Yes. Calochortus vestae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus vestae bloom?
Calochortus vestae blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Calochortus vestae grow?
Calochortus vestae occurs in Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, Shasta, Sonoma, Napa, Butte, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 500-900 m.
What plant family does Calochortus vestae belong to?
Calochortus vestae is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus vestae grow in?
Calochortus vestae grows in Clay soil in mixed-evergreen or yellow-pine forests.
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.