Calochortus uniflorus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Monterey mariposa lily and large-flowered star-tulip.[2][3][4] It is native to western Oregon and to California as far south as San Luis Obispo County. It grows in moist areas, such as meadows, in coastal hills and lower-elevation mountains. Most of the populations are found in the Coast Ranges, but some occur in the Cascades and in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.[5][6]

Calochortus uniflorus is a perennial herb producing a short, unbranching stem generally less than 5 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is up to 40 centimeters long and does not wither by flowering; there may be one or more shorter leaves farther up the stem. The inflorescence is a loose cluster of 1 to 5 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three petals up to about 3 centimeters long and three shorter sepals beneath. The petals are white to pink in color and may have purple spotting near the bases. The fruit is a capsule up to 2.5 centimeters long.[7]

References

  1. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Hooker, William Jackson & Arnott, George Arnott Walker 1840. Botany of Captain Beechey's Voyage 398 description in Latin, commentary in English
  3. ^ Hooker, William Jackson & Arnott, George Arnott Walker 1840. Botany of Captain Beechey's Voyage 398 line drawing of Calochortus uniflorus
  4. ^ Jepson Manual Treatment of Calochortus uniflorus
  5. ^ Calflora taxon report, Calochortus uniflorus Hook. & Arn. large flowered star tulip
  6. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  7. ^ Flora of North America, Calochortus uniflorus

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