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Calochortus

Calochortus is a genus comprising approximately 74 species of bulbous herbaceous perennial plants in the lily family (Liliaceae), native to western North America from southern British Columbia through the western United States to northern Mexico.^[1] These plants, commonly known as mariposa lilies, globe tulips, star tulips, or fairy lanterns, are distinguished by their showy, upright flowers that typically bloom in spring or early summer, featuring three petals and three sepals in vibrant colors such as white, yellow, pink, orange, purple, or red, often with intricate markings or hairs on the inner surfaces.^[2]^[3] The name Calochortus derives from the Greek words kalos (beautiful) and chortos (grass), alluding to the genus's slender, grass-like leaves and attractive blooms.^[3] Belonging to the Liliaceae family, Calochortus species share characteristics with other lilies, including parallel-veined leaves, flowers with parts in threes, and growth from underground bulbs, though they differ in their more varied floral forms compared to true tulips or fritillaries.^[3] The genus exhibits remarkable floral diversity, grouped into four main syndromes: mariposa lilies with open, wedge-shaped petals; globe tulips and fairy lanterns with more closed, globular or lantern-like flowers; cat's ears with small, hairy petals; and star tulips with erect, pointed petals.^[1]^[2] This variation supports diverse pollination strategies, attracting bees, butterflies, and other insects, while the plants' bulbous nature allows them to persist in seasonal environments.^[2] Calochortus species thrive in full sun and well-drained soils, such as loamy, sandy, or rocky substrates with neutral pH, often in grasslands, open woodlands, meadows, or chaparral habitats at elevations from sea level to montane zones.^[2] They are particularly diverse in California, with additional concentrations in the intermountain West, and are adapted to drought through deep bulbs that store water and nutrients.^[3]^[1] Culturally, Calochortus holds significance as a food source, with edible bulbs historically harvested by Indigenous peoples and early settlers, such as the Mormon pioneers who relied on the Sego lily (C. nuttallii) during famines.^[3] C. nuttallii is the state flower of Utah, symbolizing resilience, and several species face conservation challenges due to habitat loss, though many are cultivated ornamentally despite their tricky propagation from bulbs.^[2]^[3]

Morphology and Description

General Characteristics

Calochortus is a genus of approximately 70 species of flowering plants in the Liliaceae family, known for their delicate and graceful appearance. The name derives from the Greek words kalos, meaning "beautiful," and chortos, meaning "grass," alluding to the plants' attractive, grass-like foliage. These herbaceous perennials typically emerge from underground bulbs with membranous or fibrous-reticulate coats, producing one to several erect stems that range from 10 to 60 cm in height; the stems are often scapose or leafy, simple or branched, and may bear bulblets in the axils of lower leaves.^[4]^[5]^[6] The leaves of Calochortus species are generally sessile and linear to lanceolate in shape, with a single basal leaf that is solitary and may persist or wither by the time of flowering; cauline leaves, if present, are fewer in number, reduced in size, and often absent higher on the stem. These basal leaves are typically V-shaped to flat in cross-section, glabrous or glaucous, and rarely hairy, contributing to the plant's slender, grass-like habit. The genus encompasses a variety of common names that reflect the diversity in flower forms, including mariposa lilies, globe lilies, fairy lanterns, cat's ears, and star tulips.^[4]^[5]^[7] As bulbous perennials, Calochortus plants follow a seasonal life cycle where they produce foliage in spring, flower in late spring to summer, and enter dormancy afterward, relying on their underground storage organs for survival through dry periods. Flower colors range from white and yellow to purple and red, with tepals often featuring distinctive glands and hairs, though specific variations are detailed elsewhere.^[5]^[4]

Flower and Bulb Structure

Calochortus species produce showy flowers characterized by six perianth segments, or tepals, with three outer sepals that are typically narrower and lanceolate to ovate, measuring 1-4 cm in length, and three inner petals that are broader and often longer, up to 5 cm, frequently clawed at the base and adorned with adaxial hairs, basal glands, or colorful spots that attract pollinators.^[4] The petals exhibit a range of colors including white, yellow, pink, lavender, purple, and blue, with variations such as streaking or blotches in some species like C. venustus.^[4] The androecium consists of six stamens with widened basal filaments and linear to oblong anthers that are basifixed or pseudobasifixed.^[4] The inflorescence is typically terminal, forming monochasiate or umbellate clusters on scapose or branched stems, bearing one to many flowers that bloom from spring to early summer; bracts subtend the pedicels, and the perianth shape varies from globose and closed to broadly campanulate and open.^[4] Flowers may be solitary or in umbel-like arrangements, with peduncles up to several centimeters long.^[8] Underground, Calochortus plants arise from bulbs coated in membranous or fibrous-reticulate tunics, typically 1-3 cm in diameter, which serve as perennating organs and can produce bulblets in leaf axils for vegetative reproduction; these bulbs enter dormancy after flowering and require well-drained soil for persistence.^[4]^[9] Unlike true corms, the storage organs are bulbs, though some species exhibit scaly bases resembling corm-like structures.^[8] Following pollination, the ovary develops into a loculicidal or septicidal capsule that is three-locular and often three-angled or winged, linear to globular in shape and 1-7 cm long, containing numerous seeds arranged in two rows per locule.^[4] The seeds are flat or irregular, typically 1-2 mm wide, with a hexagonally reticulate coat that aids in dispersal, though many species show limited wing development.^[4] Morphological variations in flowers include nodding, globular forms in species like C. albus (fairy lanterns), where the perianth is closed and pendulous, contrasting with erect, tulip-like blooms in species such as C. nuttallii, featuring open, campanulate perianths up to 5 cm wide; these differences correlate with subgeneric groupings and pollinator adaptations.^[4]^[8]

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

The genus Calochortus encompasses approximately 74 species distributed across western North America and Central America, ranging from southwestern British Columbia in Canada southward through the western United States, Mexico, and into northern Guatemala.^[10]^[11]^[12] The distribution extends eastward to regions including New Mexico, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, though populations become sparser beyond the Pacific states.^[11] Isolated occurrences mark the Pacific Northwest, with additional disjunct populations in Central America, reflecting the genus's broad but patchy spread.^[12] Centers of diversity are concentrated in California and Baja California, where the highest species richness occurs, particularly within the California Floristic Province.^[11]^[12] California hosts the majority of species, with up to 10 co-occurring in small grid cells in areas like the Transverse Ranges and Bay Area.^[12] Endemism is pronounced, with about 40% of species restricted to specific locales such as the California Floristic Province, underscoring localized speciation driven by geographic barriers.^[11]^[12] Historically, Calochortus originated around 44 million years ago, with crown group diversification beginning approximately 10 million years ago in regions spanning the Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada. Subsequent diversification pulses occurred around 3–5 million years ago, coinciding with geological events including the uplift of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges, habitat fragmentation, and climatic shifts that promoted adaptive radiations across the western landscape.^[11]^[13]^[12] This biogeographic history explains the genus's current patterns of endemism and regional concentrations.^[12]

Habitat Preferences

Calochortus species predominantly inhabit regions characterized by Mediterranean to semi-arid climates, featuring cool, wet winters and dry summers, which support their bulbous growth habit. These plants occur across a wide elevational gradient, from sea level in coastal areas to over 3,000 meters in montane zones, allowing adaptation to varied temperature regimes and precipitation patterns.^[14]^[15] They thrive in well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky substrates that prevent waterlogging during their active growth period, with a preference for open, sunny exposures to maximize light for photosynthesis. While many species favor neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, a notable subset—approximately 40% of the genus—specializes in serpentine or ultramafic soils, though this is explored in greater detail elsewhere.^[8]^[16]^[17]^[12] Microhabitats for Calochortus are diverse, encompassing deserts, grasslands, chaparral shrublands, meadows, vernal pools, springs, montane woodlands, and forest understories, where they often occupy edges or clearings for optimal establishment. These environments typically provide seasonal moisture from winter rains, prompting emergence in spring followed by dormancy in summer to endure drought. Many species are disturbance-dependent, favoring post-fire landscapes or disturbed sites that reduce competition and facilitate seedling germination and nutrient release.^[16]^[18]^[15]^[17]

Taxonomy

Historical Classification

The genus Calochortus was first formally described in 1814 by Frederick Pursh in his Flora Americae Septentrionalis, based on specimens collected during the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804–1806), with Calochortus elegans designated as the type species from collections made near the headwaters of the Kooskoosky River in present-day Idaho. Pursh derived the generic name from the Greek words kalos (beautiful) and chortos (grass), reflecting the plant's attractive foliage and overall form. Early European botanists, such as Alexander von Humboldt, Aimé Bonpland, and Carl Sigismund Kunth, had previously misidentified some Calochortus species as Fritillaria in 1816, assigning names like Fritillaria purpurea and Fritillaria barbata due to shared bulbous habits and floral similarities, which contributed to initial taxonomic uncertainty.^[19] Throughout the 19th century, additional species were described by explorers and botanists expanding knowledge of western North American flora, including Thomas Nuttall, who provided early detailed accounts in works such as his 1834 descriptions of species like Calochortus luteus (later adjusted in nomenclature). Other contributors included David Douglas, who documented species such as Calochortus macrocarpus and Calochortus nitidus during his 1820s expeditions in the Pacific Northwest. The genus was consistently placed within the Liliaceae family, aligned with other bulbous perennials based on morphological features like tunicated bulbs and six-parted flowers. These descriptions accumulated amid ongoing challenges, as the superficial resemblances to genera like Fritillaria—particularly in underground structures and growth habits—led to periodic reclassifications and synonymy issues in regional floras.^[19] A pivotal advancement came in 1940 with Marion Ownbey's comprehensive monograph, which synthesized prior observations and recognized 58 species along with 13 varieties, establishing a morphological framework for the genus. Ownbey divided Calochortus into three sections—Calochortus (characterized by bearded inner petal surfaces), Eucalochortus (unbearded petals with various gland types), and Cyclobothra (globose, nodding flowers)—further subdivided into 12 subsections to address variability in petal hairiness, gland morphology, and inflorescence structure. This classification, grounded in extensive herbarium studies and field observations, resolved many earlier confusions and served as the foundational taxonomic treatment until mid-20th-century refinements.^[11]

Modern Phylogeny

Molecular phylogenetic studies of Calochortus began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, primarily utilizing chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences to elucidate evolutionary relationships within the genus. Patterson and Givnish (2002, 2003) analyzed sequences from multiple cpDNA regions, including rbcL, ndhF, trnL-trnF, psbA-trnH, and rpl16, across 64–67 species, confirming the monophyly of Calochortus with strong bootstrap support (≥95% for key nodes). Their parsimony-based analyses resolved seven major clades, each characterized by high geographic cohesion and limited inter-clade dispersal, reflecting peripatric speciation driven by isolation in heterogeneous landscapes. These clades correspond to distinct regions, such as the Bay Area, Pacific Northwest, San Diego, Central Valley, Great Basin-Rocky Mountains, southern California-Southwest, and Central Mexico.^[11]^[20] Key findings from these cpDNA phylogenies highlight how divergence in Calochortus is closely tied to geographic isolation, with basal clades centered in southern ranges, including Central Mexico (clade encompassing ~13 species), and progressively derived clades radiating northward, such as those in northern California (e.g., Bay Area and Central Valley clades with ~10–12 species each). This pattern suggests an origin in the southern portions of the genus's range during the late Miocene to Pliocene (~3–10 million years ago), followed by adaptive radiations facilitated by chromosomal changes and ecological shifts in the California Floristic Province. The studies also noted instances of hybridization, such as potential introgression in species like C. tiburonensis, and polyploidy in some lineages, contributing to reproductive isolation and speciation.^[11]^[12] Currently, approximately 70–74 species are recognized in Calochortus, with no major taxonomic revisions to species counts or generic boundaries since the 2003 cpDNA framework, though infrageneric groupings have been refined based on these clades. A more recent study incorporating 294 low-copy nuclear loci alongside plastid sequences has corroborated the monophyly and geographic structure but refined the resolution to six major clades, including a basal Rocky Mountain-Great Basin group, while identifying four independent tetraploid events.^[4]^[12]^[21] Despite advances, knowledge gaps persist, particularly in earlier cpDNA-focused work that was limited to maternally inherited markers and potentially underestimated hybridization due to lack of nuclear data; ongoing research continues to explore reticulate evolution and introgression using genome-wide approaches. Subgeneric sections largely align with these phylogenetic clades, providing a foundation for updated taxonomy.^[12]

Subgeneric Divisions

Ownbey's 1940 classification divides the genus Calochortus into three sections based on morphological traits such as petal hairiness, gland types, and flower form, a framework that has been largely retained and evaluated through molecular data.^[11] These sections, further subdivided into 12 subsections, reflect evolutionary patterns corroborated by phylogenetic studies, with no major revisions to sectional boundaries since 2003. The sections correspond to floral syndromes observed in the genus and align broadly with the geographic clades identified in cpDNA and nuclear analyses. Section Calochortus includes northern species with bearded inner tepals, often densely hairy. This monophyletic section encompasses species like C. nuttallii (the Utah state flower, with white to lilac blooms and a central yellow spot) and is primarily distributed in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains, aligning with the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin-Rocky Mountain clades.^[22]^[11] Section Eucalochortus comprises species with unbearded petals featuring various nectary glands, showing high diversity in floral markings and forms. This section is paraphyletic and includes the diverse "mariposa" lilies with open, wedge-shaped petals, as well as other groups like cat's ears and star tulips; it corresponds to multiple clades, particularly those in California (e.g., Bay Area, Central Valley, southern California).^[11] Section Cyclobothra features species with globose or nodding flowers, often sparsely bearded or naked tepals, adapted to arid southwestern environments. This polyphyletic section aligns with southern clades, including those in the Southwest U.S. and Central Mexico, with yellow or white upright flowers.^[11]

Ecology

Serpentine Soil Adaptations

Approximately one-third of Calochortus species, such as C. coxii and C. howellii, are tolerant of or endemic to serpentine (ultramafic) soils, which are characterized by high concentrations of magnesium and heavy metals like nickel, chromium, and iron, coupled with low nutrient availability and poor calcium-to-magnesium ratios.^[11] These soils pose significant physiological challenges, including metal toxicity and nutrient deficiencies, yet select Calochortus taxa have evolved specialized tolerances that enable persistence in these edaphically extreme environments.^[12] Key adaptations include efficient sequestration or exclusion of heavy metals, enabling ionic balance and prevention of cellular damage.^[11] Additionally, many serpentine-adapted species exhibit drought tolerance suited to the shallow, well-drained, and seasonally arid conditions of serpentine outcrops, facilitated by bulbous underground structures and basal leaves that conserve water during dry periods.^[12] These traits reflect evolutionary convergence, with serpentine endemism arising independently at least five to seven times across multiple clades, driven by the patchy distribution of serpentine substrates that promote geoedaphic speciation.^[11]^[12] Such adaptations are particularly evident in research on chromosomal and phylogenetic patterns, where studies demonstrate that tolerance evolved from non-tolerant ancestors in response to soil heterogeneity, enhancing diversification in heterogeneous landscapes.^[11] Distribution of these adapted species is concentrated on serpentine outcrops in the California Floristic Province, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Coast Ranges, and southern Oregon's Siskiyou and Klamath Mountains, where C. coxii is restricted to a narrow serpentine ridge and C. howellii occupies dry, rocky slopes in the Illinois Valley.^[11]^[23]^[24]

Pollination and Reproduction

Calochortus species exhibit a generalist pollination system, primarily relying on insect vectors attracted to the colorful petals and specialized nectar glands. Pollinators include a diverse array of insects from multiple orders, such as bees that collect pollen from anthers, beetles that feed on petal glands, butterflies, and flies, with visitor assemblages varying by site and season more than between species.^[25] Although some species, like Calochortus tiburonensis, are self-compatible and capable of self-pollination, outcrossing via these insect pollinators is predominant, promoting genetic diversity.^[26] Wind pollination is rare across the genus, as floral structures are adapted for animal-mediated transfer rather than anemophily.^[25] Reproduction in Calochortus is predominantly sexual, occurring through the production of seeds within dehiscent capsules that develop after pollination. Each flower typically yields a capsule containing numerous flat or irregular seeds, which mature in late summer following spring or early summer blooming. Asexual reproduction via bulb offsets occurs in many species, where new bulbs form at the base of the parent bulb, allowing clonal propagation, though this is less common than seed production and varies by species such as Calochortus elegans.^[27] The life cycle is complex, featuring subterranean bulbs that can enter dormancy, with seedlings often exhibiting delayed germination or dormancy to synchronize with favorable conditions.^[28] Seed dispersal is limited, primarily occurring over short distances through gravity or rain splash, as seeds are relatively large, unwinged, and lack specialized structures for long-distance transport. In species like Calochortus albus, most seeds fall within 15 cm to 2 m of the parent plant, contributing to localized gene flow and clustered populations.^[29] Flowering phenology is typically synchronized with pollinator activity in spring to summer, but plants can enter multi-year dormancy periods—often 1 year but up to 4 years—in response to drought or other environmental stressors, reducing reproductive output in unfavorable years.^[30] Despite these adaptations, research on pollinator specificity and factors affecting seed set in isolated populations remains limited, highlighting gaps in understanding reproductive success across the genus.^[25]

Threats and Conservation

Calochortus species face significant threats from habitat destruction and modification, primarily driven by urbanization, agricultural expansion, mining activities, logging, and road construction, which fragment and degrade their native ranges.^[31]^[32]^[33] Livestock and deer grazing further exacerbate these risks through direct herbivory and trampling, while invasive non-native species compete for resources and alter soil conditions in serpentine habitats.^[34]^[35]^[33] Climate change adds to these pressures by potentially shifting phenological timing, such as flowering periods, which could disrupt pollination and reproduction, though comprehensive data on these impacts remain limited. Approximately 20 Calochortus species are globally threatened, with many endemics classified as rare or endangered due to their narrow distributions and specialized habitat requirements.^[16] For instance, C. tiburonensis (Tiburon mariposa lily) is federally listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and holds a California Native Plant Society (CNPS) rank of 1B.1, indicating it is rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere.^[36]^[37] C. umpquaensis (Umpqua mariposa lily) is critically imperiled (G1 rank by NatureServe) and listed as endangered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.^[38]^[39] In Canada, C. lyallii (Lyall's mariposa lily) is designated as special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).^[40] Conservation efforts for Calochortus emphasize population monitoring, habitat restoration, and ex situ preservation to mitigate declines. Organizations like the Institute for Applied Ecology conduct long-term monitoring of species such as C. coxii and C. greenei, assessing trends and threats to inform management strategies.^[23]^[41] Seed banking programs, including those by the Center for Plant Conservation, store orthodox seeds of taxa like C. coxii and C. umpquaensis for potential reintroduction and genetic preservation.^[42]^[43] Ex situ cultivation supports reintroduction efforts, as seen in outplanting trials for C. persistens and related serpentine endemics to restore degraded sites.^[44] Despite these initiatives, gaps persist in understanding climate change effects on Calochortus phenology and long-term viability, particularly for California's many CNPS 1B-ranked endemics that require updated assessments following 2020.^[45] Notable cases include C. indecorus (Sexton Mountain mariposa lily), which is presumed extinct after failed searches at its original serpentine site in Oregon, highlighting the vulnerability of narrow endemics to habitat loss.^[46]

Uses

Culinary Applications

Calochortus bulbs have been harvested as a staple food by Native American tribes in California and the Pacific Northwest, where they served as a reliable source of nutrition during seasonal gatherings. Tribes such as the Karuk in California dug the bulbs from open understories of coniferous forests and oak woodlands between May and late October using hardwood digging sticks, often replanting smaller bulblets to ensure regeneration and tilling the soil to promote future growth. These bulbs were consumed raw for their crisp texture, roasted or baked to develop a richer flavor, boiled for milder preparations like soups, or steamed and mashed into cakes, bread, or biscuits that could be dried for storage. The starchy, mildly nutty to sweet taste of the bulbs, reminiscent of young potatoes or parsnips, made them a favored geophyte food, providing essential energy in traditional diets.^[47]^[47]^[47]^[48]^[47] Historical records document the reliance on Calochortus nuttallii bulbs by Mormon settlers in Utah during periods of famine in the mid-19th century, particularly around 1848 when crop failures due to cricket infestations threatened starvation. Paiute and Shoshone tribes taught the settlers to harvest these bulbs, known as "sego lilies" from the Shoshone word sego, using sharpened sticks to extract them from the soil. The pioneers relished the bulbs raw, roasted, boiled into porridge, or dried for later use, with their sweet, butternut-like flavor offering vital sustenance that Brigham Young described as a "heaven-sent source of food." This practice helped sustain communities through harsh winters and contributed to the designation of the sego lily as Utah's state flower in 1911.^[49]^[49]^[49]^[50] Nutritionally, Calochortus bulbs are high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, making them an efficient energy source comparable to tubers like potatoes, though their small size—typically 1–2 cm in diameter and buried 5–10 cm deep—required labor-intensive collection in patches to yield sufficient quantities.^[9]^[48] Harvesting was traditionally managed sustainably by indigenous groups through selective digging that preserved plant populations, but early settler practices often lacked such care. Today, overharvesting by non-indigenous collectors has contributed to population declines in many species, rendering Calochortus bulbs rare in the wild and not commercially cultivated for food due to conservation concerns and protected status in several regions.^[48]^[47]^[51]^[47]^[52]

Horticultural Cultivation

Calochortus species are propagated primarily through seeds or bulb divisions, though both methods require patience due to their slow establishment. Seeds should be sown in fall or early winter for Pacific Coast species, with cold stratification at around 32°F (0°C) for 6 weeks recommended for those from colder regions to mimic natural conditions and promote germination. Scarification may be necessary for hard-coated seeds, and plants typically take 3 to 5 years to mature and bloom from seed. Bulb division involves separating offsets in autumn after foliage dies back, planting them 3 to 4 inches deep and spaced 3 to 4 inches apart; this method allows for faster flowering but yields fewer plants initially. Vegetative propagation via bulbils in leaf axils is possible in select species like C. uniflorus and C. vestae. Optimal growing conditions replicate the plants' native dry, well-drained habitats, with sandy or gritty soil amended with peat or organic matter to ensure sharp drainage. Full sun to partial shade is ideal, though shade-loving types such as fairy lanterns (C. albus) perform better under dappled light, and full sun works in cooler or foggy climates. Moderate watering—about once weekly during active growth—is essential, but soil must remain dry during the summer dormancy period, which lasts several months. Depending on the species, cultivation is suitable in USDA zones 3–10; in non-native regions outside suitable zones, cultivation in pots, rock gardens, or xeriscapes is preferred to manage moisture and provide winter mulch or indoor storage for bulbs in colder areas; some species benefit from winter chill hours similar to their high-elevation origins. Challenges in cultivation include high susceptibility to bulb rot and damping-off diseases when soils stay wet, particularly during dormancy or in heavy clay. Pests such as slugs, burrowing rodents like gophers, and occasionally lily leaf beetles can damage foliage or bulbs, necessitating protective measures like barriers or rodent-proof planting. The plants' finicky nature means they may disappear after one or two seasons in mismatched conditions, such as wet winters, and seedlings are especially vulnerable to overwatering. Calochortus bulbs and seeds are available from specialty nurseries specializing in native and rare bulbs, such as Telos Rare Bulbs or Brent and Becky's Bulbs, often at low cost (e.g., $0.25 per bulb). Seeds can be sourced through exchanges like the North American Rock Garden Society Seedex. These plants are favored in native wildflower gardens and rockeries across the western United States, where they enhance biodiversity and aesthetic appeal. For success, avoid over-fertilizing native soils but apply a dilute bulb fertilizer (e.g., 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water) sparingly during spring growth in soilless potting mixes to support development. Mulch lightly with gravel or sand for weed suppression and to maintain soil dryness, and plant in hot, south-facing microclimates for heat-tolerant species. Beginners may start with more adaptable varieties like C. venustus or C. luteus, experimenting with local adaptations such as deeper planting (5 inches) in wooden boxes for better drainage in humid areas.

References

[1]
Reference genome of Calochortus tolmiei Hook. & Arn. (Liliaceae), a ...
The genus Calochortus contains 74 species, all of them bulbous herbaceous plants, which range from the western United States into Mexico. Calochortus ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[2]
Calochortus - Plant Toolbox - NC State University
Within the genus are mariposas lilies with open, wedge-shaped petals; globe lilies with globe-shaped flowers, and star tulips with erect pointed petals. As a ...
[3]
Butterfly Mariposa Lily - Forest Service
Some other species of this genus are edible. The famous Sego Lily of the intermountain region is one; Calochortus nuttallii is the state flower of Utah, for it ...
[4]
Calochortus in Flora of North America @ efloras.org
Herbs, perennial, sometimes from bulbs; bulb coat membranous or fibrous-reticulate. Stems scapelike or leafy, simple or branched, glabrous, often glaucous.
[5]
Calochortus - Jepson Herbarium - University of California, Berkeley
Common Name: LILY FAMILY Habit: Perennial herb from membranous bulb or scaly rhizome. Stem: underground or erect, branched or not. Leaf: basal or cauline, ...
[6]
Calochortus Species Six | Pacific Bulb Society
May 28, 2025 · Three good sources of information are Frank Callahan, The Genus Calochortus ... Height range: 10-60 cm. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
[7]
OregonFlora Calochortus
Leaves basal or cauline, linear to lanceolate, V-shaped to flat in cross section, glabrous or glaucous; basal leaves solitary, rarely with hairs; bulblets in ...Missing: etymology structure count<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
Calochortus | Pacific Bulb Society
Sep 2, 2025 · Calochortus is a diverse genus of bulbs found in western North America, Mexico, and Guatemala, with the most species in California.Missing: corm structure morphology
[9]
[PDF] sego lily (Calochortus nuttallii) Plant Guide
General: Lily Family (Liliaceae). Sego lily is a perennial native forb that grows 10-20 inches high. It grows from a small egg- shaped bulb, 3 ...
[10]
Calochortus - FNA - Flora of North America
Nov 5, 2020 · Stems usually not branching distal to base, 1–10 dm; petals with adaxial surface moderately hairy; leaves and stems conspicuously glaucous.Missing: corm structure
[11]
Geographic cohesion, chromosomal evolution, parallel adaptive ...
Nov 14, 2003 · Calochortus has undergone striking radiations in flower morphology ... morphology of Calochortus appear driven by poor seed dispersability.
[12]
Chromosomal evolution, environmental heterogeneity, and ... - PNAS
Calochortus occupies diverse habitats in the western United States and Mexico and has a center of diversity in the California Floristic Province, marked by ...
[13]
[PDF] Geographic patterns of genetic distribution within Calochortus ...
May 1, 2015 · The abundance of diversity in the genus Calochortus suggests a dynamic genetic history related to geological (i.e. mountain uplift) and ...
[14]
[PDF] MARIPOSA LILY - USDA Plants Database
Calochortus venustus is found in open grassland, oak woodland, and mixed conifer forests between 300 and 2700 m in central western California, the Sierra ...Missing: habitat | Show results with:habitat
[15]
[PDF] Calochortus flexuosus S. Watson (winding mariposa lily)
Jul 24, 2006 · Calochortus flexuosus is ranked globally secure (G4) by NatureServe and imperiled in Colorado (S2) by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program.
[16]
Calochortus | Specht Lab – Evolution of Plant Form and Function
Calochortus (Liliaceae) is a large genus (75 spp.) of bulbous herbs with flowers of kaleidoscopic variety and exquisite complexity.
[17]
Life History and Population Dynamics of Rare and Common ...
Aug 5, 2025 · Life History and Population Dynamics of Rare and Common Mariposa Lilies (Calochortus Pursh: Liliaceae). Wiley. Journal of Ecology. December 1987 ...
[18]
Calochortus Species Four | Pacific Bulb Society
May 28, 2025 · Calochortus is a genus in the Liliaceae family with species distributed in western North America, Mexico, and south to Guatemala.
[19]
None
Below is a merged summary of the Calochortus history, consolidating all information from the provided segments into a comprehensive response. To maximize detail and clarity, I will use a table in CSV format to organize the key points, followed by a narrative summary that integrates additional details not easily captured in the table. Since no thinking tokens are allowed, I will rely solely on the provided summaries to synthesize the response.
[20]
insights from rbcL and ndhF sequence data - PubMed
We present a well-supported molecular phylogeny for these groups and their close relatives in the core Liliales, based on sequence variation in the chloroplast ...
[21]
Reference genome of Calochortus tolmiei Hook. & Arn. (Liliaceae), a ...
Jan 20, 2025 · Maxim. (Melanthiaceae; Kuo et al. 2023), which has a median divergence time of 83 million years from the focal taxon of this study, ...
[22]
Utah State Flower | Sego Lily
Utah designated the sego lily (Calochortus nuttalli) as the official state flower in 1911; chosen for its natural beauty and historic significance ...
[23]
Calochortus coxii- Crinite Mariposa Lily - Institute for Applied Ecology
Calochortus coxii, also known as Cox's or Crinite (hairy) mariposa lily, is endemic to a 10 mile serpentine ridge line in Douglas County, Oregon.
[24]
[PDF] Howell's mariposa lily (Calochortus howellii) - Oregon.gov
Howell's mariposa lily is typically found on dry, rocky slopes with serpentine derived soils in the Illinois River valley. These soils are wet in early spring ...
[25]
Generalist flowers moving through a mosaic of potential pollinators
Aug 5, 2025 · Calochortus flowers attracted insects in several orders, especially beetles that feed at glands on the petals and bees that often collect pollen ...
[26]
[PDF] Calochortus tiburonensis (Tiburon mariposa lily) 5-Year Review
Feb 3, 1995 · Reproductive adults typically bear two to three flowers, but larger individuals may produce as many as eight. Although self-pollination is ...
[27]
[PDF] Plant Propagation Protocol for Calochortus Elegans
Jun 5, 2017 · Calochortus elegans is a native perennial herb that is found on open rocky soils at the margins of coniferous forests and on grassy hills in ...
[28]
[PDF] Nursery manual for native plants - USDA Forest Service
Offsets of tunicate bulbs are the main method used to increase bulb stock. Any species that readily produces offsets can be propagated this way, but a large ...
[29]
Spatial scales of genetic structure and gene flow in Calochortus ...
The seeds of Calochortus are relatively large, generally unwinged, and lack obvious adaptations for long-distance dispersal. Furthermore, Bullock (1976) found ...
[30]
Dormancy and flowering in two mariposa lilies (Calochortus) with ...
We investigated patterns of dormancy and reproduction over time in two long-lived grassland perennial species, Calochortus lyallii Baker and Calochortus ...Missing: phenology | Show results with:phenology
[31]
30 Oregon plant species at risk of extinction - oregonlive.com
Aug 6, 2018 · Threats: The primary threat to the western lily is habitat loss from commercial, residential and agricultural development, particularly from ...
[32]
Rare Plants - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Oct 1, 2025 · Threatened by mining in most of its range, in JTNP its threats are limited to any activity that would cause ground disturbance (foot traffic ...
[33]
Evaluation of population trends and potential threats to a rare ...
Oct 26, 2015 · The major threats of C. coxii noted over the course of our study include encroachment by conifers and invasion by exotic species.
[34]
[PDF] Report on the Conservation Status of Calochortus nitidus
Feb 9, 1996 · Calochortus nitidus (broad-fruit mariposa lily) is a perennial forb with a single broad, flat basal leaf and showy flowers.
[35]
Tiburon Mariposa Lily - California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Calochortus tiburonensis. Tiburon mariposa lily is a California threatened plant species, which means that killing or possessing plants from wild populations ...Missing: USFWS | Show results with:USFWS
[36]
Species Profile for Tiburon mariposa lily(Calochortus tiburonensis)
Tiburon mariposa lily (Calochortus tiburonensis) · Taxonomy: · Listing Status: Threatened · Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND · General Information · » Range Information ...Missing: CNPS | Show results with:CNPS<|separator|>
[37]
Calochortus tiburonensis - CNPS Rare Plant Inventory
Calochortus tiburonensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California. Classification ...
[38]
Calochortus umpquaensis, Umpqua mariposa lily
Critically Imperiled Plant Profile (Not Listed or Proposed under the Endangered Species Act). Umpqua mariposa lily. Calochortus umpquaensis is only found ...
[39]
[PDF] Evaluation of population trends and potential threats to Calochortus ...
Concern, and a Heritage Rank G1 species (critically imperiled throughout its range; ORBIC 2010). This species is endemic to a ten-mile serpentine ridge ...
[40]
Lyall's mariposa lily (Calochortus lyallii): COSEWIC assessment and ...
Feb 23, 2018 · This species is a distinctive, long-lived perennial with a small range in Canada. It is known from only 5 populations in forest openings and sagebrush ...
[41]
Population Monitoring of Calochortus greenei
The Institute for Applied Ecology has conducted a 10-year study on the ... Ecological Conservation Awards · News · Contact. Restoration. Habitat Restoration ...
[42]
Cox's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus coxii) - Center for Plant Conservation
Habitat: Restricted to serpentine soils (Knight and Seevers 1992). Primarily found in the transition zone (ecotone) between coniferous forests and grass-shrub ...
[43]
Umpqua Mariposa Lily (Calochortus umpquaensis)
Based on this information, the Fish and Wildlife Service removed it from the list of Candidate for Endangered status in 1999 (USFWS 2000). It remains listed as ...Missing: CNPS | Show results with:CNPS
[44]
Seed Collection and Outplanting of Siskiyou Mariposa Lily ...
Oct 13, 2017 · Over 300 seedlings have been propagated and are suitable for outplanting. Seedlings will be imported and outplanted in fall 2017 in suitable ...Missing: reintroduction | Show results with:reintroduction
[45]
[PDF] Calochortus persistens Version 2, 2020-11-03 DRAFT
Nov 3, 2020 · Status updates: Calochortus persistens was listed in the first edition of the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, in 1974. There have ...
[46]
Sexton Mountain Mariposa Lily - Oregon Conservation Strategy
The Sexton Mountain Mariposa Lily (Calochortus indecorus) is endangered and may be extinct, previously found in moist, rocky serpentine soils.
[47]
[PDF] the story of california indians' relationship with edible - USDA
Feb 20, 2017 · The edible underground parts possessed by these plants are classified as bulbs, corms, taproots, tubers and rhi- zomes, and when conditions turn.<|separator|>
[48]
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calochortus%20nuttallii
[49]
Sego Lily - Wild About Utah
Jul 13, 2020 · Sego lily bulbs are edible, either raw or cooked, and were used as food by the Cheyenne. The sweet-tasting bulbs were often dried for later ...
[50]
[PDF] Historical Background: How the Sego Lily Became Utah's State Flower
The sego lily was the front runner, most likely because of the near-mythical story of how the bulbs of the sego lily plant had sustained starving. European ...Missing: Mormon | Show results with:Mormon
[51]
Liliaceae (Calochortus) - RNGR
Propagation Collection: Whole fruits can be collected from heads immediately prior to or after ripening (i.e. browning and splitting of capsules). Seed may ...Missing: asexual offsets
[52]
[PDF] CALIFORNIA GEOPHYTES SPECIAL ISSUE
In 1878 at the age of 17, he found a species of Calochortus that he would later learn had not been identified by botanists. Purdy followed a friend's advice and ...