Calochortus luteus

Calochortus luteus, the yellow mariposa lily, is a mariposa lily endemic to California.^[2][1]

Calochortus luteus
In flower on Mount Tamalpais
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Genus:	Calochortus
Species:	C. luteus
Binomial name
Calochortus luteus Dougl. ex Lindl. 1833 not Nutt. 1834
Synonyms[1]
Cyclobothra lutea (Douglas ex Lindl.) Lindl. Mariposa lutea (Douglas ex Lindl.) Hoover

Description

The primarily bright deep yellow flower is 3–5 cm across and perianth bulb-shaped, lined red-brown inside, often also with central red-brown blotch and sparse hair inside.^[3][4][5] It is a perennial herb.^[6]

Distribution

This species is found on coastal prairie, grasslands and some open forest floors.^[7] Its range is along the coastal ranges from region to the northern Santa Barbara County Channel Islands and mainland, Northwestern California, the Sacramento Valley, and the Sierra Nevada foothills from there to the Tehachapi Mountains.

Cultivation

Calochortus luteus is used in landscape design, with "non-habitat sourced" bulbs available from native plant nurseries and societies, to grow as an ornamental plant in gardens and for restoration projects.^[8][9]