Calochortus Species, Club Haired Mariposa Lily, Yellow Mariposa Lily

Calochortus clavatus is restricted to California. The type (var. clavatus) is found in the south Coastal Ranges from Los An...Read Moregeles County up to Stanislaus County, from sea level to 1800 meters, growing in a variety of environments, including grasslands, chaparrel, and Knobcone Pine (Pinus attenuata) forests. It grows in soils that are ultramafic (having very low silica content and very rich in iron and magnesium) to alkaline.

It is a taxonomically complex species, with four valid varieties: avius, gracilis, pallidus, and recurvifolius. C. clavatus belongs to Section II, Mariposa, Subsection 7. Nuttalliani (Glands circular-depressed, mostly surrounded by a broad membrane; bulbs with membranous tunics; seeds flat; chromosome base number eight.)(Callahan, "The Genus Calochortus" in "Bulbs of North America", Timber Press, 2001)

C. clavatus var. clavatus has bright yellow flowers and, at a distance, could be easily mistaken for C. luteus. It is one of the tallest of the genus, sometimes surpassing 60 cm.

Like most Calochortus, C. clavatus is a winter grower, though it is not very hardy. Some of the varieties are said to do well in cultivation. I will add a rating and more culture info as I grow it.

"Clavatus" is a form of the Latin adjective for "club-shaped", refering to the petal trichomes. The nectary trichomes of this species are dendritic.