woodland wildflower
Butterfly Mariposa Lily
Calochortus venustus
1 of 2Native to California
Southern and central Sierra foothills and southern and central Coast Ranges of California
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 2 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Butterfly Mariposa Lily's white flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and butterflies.
Butterfly Mariposa Lily blooms white, red, pink, yellow & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Crotch's Bumble Bee also Bindweed Turret Bee, California Fairy Bee
- Butterflies Gray Hairstreak
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Gray hairstreaknectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern and central Sierra foothills and southern and central Coast Ranges of CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Soil
- Light, sandy soil; often decomposed graniteThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~0 ft (0.1 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Red, Pink, Yellow, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.