1. * Yellow Mariposa Lily – Calochortus luteus
(kal-oh-CORE-tus loo-TEE-us)
Family: Lilliaceae (Lily Family)
Native to: Foothills of western CA, mostly northern/central CA but also in San Diego Co.; openings
in coastal prairie, grassland, oak woodland and mixed-evergreen forest, usually in heavy soils.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial bulb
mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: < 1 ft.
Foliage grass-like, growing in spring and dying back to the bulb in summer drought. The foliage will
blend in when planted with native grasses, wildflowers.
Some years (with insufficient winter rain)
may not emerge at all.
Spring-blooming, from April-June depending on the timing of winter rains &
temperature. Flowers are spectacular butter-yellow mariposa lilies with brick red or brown blotches
& markings. Very showy bloomer – you won’t be able to resist getting your camera out!
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Probably best used as it occurs in nature – mixed with summer-dry native
grasses, wildflowers and bulbs. Also great for those hard-to-water places along driveways, dry
slopes, etc. Lovely in containers and massed.
Great addition to wildlife garden. Bulbs edible
(raw; baked). Cultivar ‘Golden Orb’ was selected for garden use and is widely available.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native yellow-flowered bulbs or perennials.
Attracts: Excellent general habitat plant. Nectar & pollen attract hummingbirds, butterflies and wild
variety of insects.
Birds and small animals eat the seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun – can take summer heat.
Best in well-drained, but fine in clays as long as not over-watered.
Needs good winter/spring rain (supplement if needed); Zone 1 or 1-2 summer/fall
none
If mulched use an inorganic (rock) mulch.
One of the easier Calochortus for gardens. Summer dry season is essential. May
reseed on bare/rock-mulched ground if happy. If grown in containers, move container to cool, dry
place after blooming. You can also dig up the bulbs after foliage dies back & store in cool, dry.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in fall; 1-6+ mo. to germinate by divisions: after foliage dies
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 10, 18, 20
11/30/09
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
© Project SOUND