Calochortus leichtlinii
Calochortus leichtlinii | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. leichtlinii |
Binomial name | |
Calochortus leichtlinii Hook.f. | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Calochortus leichtlinii is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Leichtlin's mariposa, smokey mariposa, and mariposa lily.[2][3]
![](../I/m/Mariposa_lily_drift_Calochortus_leichtlinii.jpg)
The plant is native to the Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau of California and adjacent parts of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and western Nevada.[4] It grows in coniferous forest and chaparral habitats, including the lowest grassy hills—such as along the Sierra Nevada boundary with the Central Valley and agriculture.[5][6]
The small underground bulbs were eaten by the Native Americans.
Description
Calochortus leichtlinii is a perennial herb producing an erect, unbranching stem up to 60 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is 10 to 15 centimeters long and withers by flowering.
The inflorescence is a loose cluster of 1 to 5 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three petals 1 to 4 centimeters long which are white, pinkish, or dull blue in color and spotted with yellow and dark red or black and hairy at the bases.[7] These color patterns vary widely among different regional and local populations.
The fruit is a narrow capsule up to 6 centimeters long.
![](../I/m/Leichtlins_Mariposa_Lily%2C_Yosemite.jpg)
Yosemite National Park
References
- ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ↑ sierrawildflowers.org, Sierra Wildflowers, "Common Name: Mariposa Lily"
- ↑ Hooker, Joseph Dalton 1870. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 96: plate 5862 plus 2 subsequent text pages description in Latin, commentary in English, full-page color illustration
- ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ↑ Calflora taxon report, University of California @ Berkeley: Calochortus leichtlinii (Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily, smokey mariposa)
- ↑ Flora of North America, Calochortus leichtlinii
- ↑ sierrawildflowers.org, Sierra Wildflowers, Scientific Name: Calochortus Leichtlinii
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calochortus leichtlinii. |
- Jepson Manual Treatment of Calochortus leichtlinii
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile for Calochortus leichtlinii
- Calochortus leichtlinii — Calphotos Photos gallery, University of California