Calochortus luteus
Yellow Mariposa Lily
Overview
Calochortus luteus is a perennial bulb in the lily family, native to California, sending up a slender, often branched stem 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall from an underground bulb. A few narrow, grass-like leaves rise from the base and wither by flowering time. In late spring and early summer, one to several upward-facing, tulip-shaped flowers open at the stem tips, each with three broad yellow petals 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) long marked with reddish-brown central blotches and slender penciling. Three narrow sepals sit behind the petals. The flowers draw native bees, which gather pollen from the bright yellow anthers. After bloom, the bulb goes dormant through the dry summer, and an upright three-winged seed capsule ripens and splits. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and grows in grassland and open woodland on heavy or rocky soils. The summer-dormant habit leaves bare ground after bloom, and the bulbs rot if kept wet in summer.
Native Range
Calochortus luteus is endemic to California, growing in the Coast Ranges, the Central Valley margins, and the Sierra Nevada foothills below about 2,300 feet (700 m). It favors heavy clay and grassland soils in open, sunny sites.Suggested Uses
Used in California native and dry-meadow gardens, rock gardens, and containers with a summer-dry regime. It naturalizes in grassland plantings and draws native bees in late spring.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread3" - 6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from April through June, depending on elevation and spring rainfall. One to several cup-shaped yellow flowers open per stem over a few weeks. Native bees visit for pollen, and the plant sets winged seed capsules before going dormant for summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with brown markingsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on heavy clay or rocky soils that stay moist in spring and dry hard in summer. The bulb needs a dry summer rest and rots if watered while dormant. A soil pH of 6.0-7.5 suits the species. Fall and winter rains trigger leaf growth, followed by spring bloom. In cultivation, plants grow in well-drained beds or containers kept dry after the foliage fades. Bulbs increase slowly, and seed-grown plants take three to five years to flower.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be left to ripen seed or removed once seed is collected. The foliage is left to die back so the bulb can store energy for the next season.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons