Calochortus leichtlinii is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Leichtlin's mariposa, smokey mariposa, and mariposa lily.[3][4]

The plant is native to the Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau of California and adjacent parts of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and western Nevada.[5] It grows in coniferous forest and chaparral habitats, including the lowest grassy hills—such as along the Sierra Nevada boundary with the Central Valley and agriculture.[6][7]

The small underground bulbs were eaten by the Native Americans.

Description

Calochortus leichtlinii is a perennial herb producing an erect, unbranching stem up to 60 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is 10 to 15 centimeters long and withers by flowering.

The inflorescence is a loose cluster of 1 to 5 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three petals 1 to 4 centimeters long which are white, pinkish, or dull blue in color and spotted with yellow and dark red or black and hairy at the bases.[8] These color patterns vary widely among different regional and local populations.

The fruit is a narrow capsule up to 6 centimeters long.

Leichtlin's mariposa
Yosemite National Park
Drift of Calochortus leichtlinii flowers Ansel Adams Wilderness

References

  1. ^ "NatureServe Explorer - Calochortus leichtlinii". NatureServe Explorer Calochortus leichtlinii. NatureServe. 2022-05-30. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ sierrawildflowers.org, Sierra Wildflowers, "Common Name: Mariposa Lily"
  4. ^ Hooker, Joseph Dalton 1870. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 96: plate 5862 plus 2 subsequent text pages description in Latin, commentary in English, full-page color illustration
  5. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  6. ^ Calflora taxon report, University of California @ Berkeley: Calochortus leichtlinii (Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily, smokey mariposa)
  7. ^ Flora of North America, Calochortus leichtlinii
  8. ^ sierrawildflowers.org, Sierra Wildflowers, Scientific Name: Calochortus Leichtlinii

External links