Calochortus weedii
Weed's mariposa lily
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus weedii (Weed's mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Fibrous bulb coat; slender branched stem 30--90 cm; erect bell flowers, cream-yellow petals flecked & margined red-brown, fringed-hairy;….
Weed's mariposa lily is a California native perennial found in rocky, open habitats across central California. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces striking cream to yellow flowers with red-brown flecks and margins, each bloom widely bell-shaped and up to 3 centimeters wide with long, dense bordering hairs. Growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall with slender, generally branched stems, it emerges from a fibrous bulb. Its basal leaves extend 20 to 40 centimeters long and wither during flowering, while upper stem leaves become progressively smaller and inrolled. The fruit is an erect linear capsule 4 to 5 centimeters long with angled sides and an acuminate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Fibrous bulb coat; slender branched stem 30--90 cm; erect bell flowers, cream-yellow petals flecked & margined red-brown, fringed-hairy; SCo/PR/WTR
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Santa Barbara, Butte, Los Angeles, Ventura
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 weedii native to California?
Yes. Calochortus weedii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calochortus weedii grow?
Calochortus weedii occurs in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Santa Barbara, Butte, Los Angeles, Ventura.
What plant family does Calochortus weedii belong to?
Calochortus weedii is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calochortus weedii var. intermedius — Intermediate mariposa lily
- Calochortus weedii var. weedii — Weed's mariposa lily
- Calochortus westonii — Shirley meadows star-tulip
- Calochortus albus — White globe lily
- Calochortus amabilis — Diogenes' lantern
- Calochortus amoenus — Purple fairy lantern
- Clintonia andrewsiana — Andrew's clintonia
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.