1. White Mariposa Lily – Calochortus albus
(kal-uh-KOR-tus AL-bus)
Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Native to: California endemic – foothills of Sierras and Coastal Ranges; Shaded to open woodlands,
rocky places in brush, chaparral, foothill woodland, yellow pine forest below 6000'.
perennial from bulb
mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: < 1 ft.
Native bulb-forming perennial with narrow, grass-like leaves. Dies back to bulb in summer.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms mid-spring (Apr-May). Flowers are white with a blush of pink.
overlap to form an open globe. Very showy and distinctive when massed.
Blooms/fruits:
Petals
Uses in the garden: Best used with Zone 1 native grasses, annual wildflowers and other
bulbs/corms. Lovely choice for containers. Good for any summer-dry area (must have summer dry
conditions). Native Californians roasted and ate the bulbs.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native spring/summer bulbs.
Excellent habitat plant.
Birds eat the seeds.
Attracts:
Nectar attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and other insects.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Part-shade is best; full sun only in very cool gardens near coast.
Well-drained; well-drained clays are best. Any local pH is fine.
Needs good winter/spring water (rain best); no water after it blooms
None
Protect bulbs from gophers & other rodents. Needs complete summer dry (Zone
Easier than most Mariposa species, as long as treated as Zone 1.
Management:
1).
Propagation: from seed: in prepared bed in fall
by cuttings: bulb offsets
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 13, 20
12/9/08
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