79 Species of Genus Calochortus

Calochortus: My Love Affair with the Butterfly Tulip

As a nature enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the delicate beauty and vibrant colors of wildflowers. But there’s one genus that holds a special place in my heart: Calochortus. These North American natives, often called “mariposa lilies” or “globe lilies,” are a sight to behold, and I’m eager to share my fascination with you.

A Diverse and Stunning Genus

Calochortus is a diverse genus, boasting over 70 species. They’re all herbaceous perennials, meaning they die back to their bulbs in winter and re-emerge in spring. What truly sets them apart are their unique and varied blooms. Some, like the mariposa lilies, have open, wedge-shaped petals in vibrant hues of purple, yellow, and white. Others, like the globe lilies, have globe-shaped flowers that dangle like delicate lanterns. And then there are the star tulips, with their erect, pointed petals that resemble, well, stars!

My First Encounter

I remember the first time I encountered a Calochortus. I was hiking in the California foothills, and there, nestled amongst the grasses, was a cluster of mariposa lilies. Their petals were a striking shade of lavender, with intricate markings that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. I was captivated. From that moment on, I was hooked.

Calochortus in My Garden

Inspired by my encounter, I decided to try my hand at cultivating Calochortus in my own garden. I started with a few bulbs of the splendid mariposa lily (Calochortus splendens) and the elegant globe lily (Calochortus albus). To my delight, they thrived! Now, every spring, I’m greeted by a vibrant display of these captivating blooms.

A Closer Look at Calochortus Species

The diversity within the Calochortus genus is truly remarkable. Here are:

1. Calochortus albus (Benth.) Douglas ex Benth.
2. Calochortus amabilis Purdy
3. Calochortus ambiguus (M.E.Jones) Ownbey
4. Calochortus amoenus Greene
5. Calochortus apiculatus Baker
6. Calochortus argillosus (Hoover) Zebzll & Fielder
7. Calochortus aureus S.Watson
8. Calochortus balsensis García-Mend.
9. Calochortus barbatus (Kunth) Painter
10. Calochortus bruneaunis A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.
11. Calochortus catalinae S.Watson
12. Calochortus cernuus Painter
13. Calochortus ciscoensis S.L.Welsh & N.D.Atwood
14. Calochortus clavatus S.Watson
15. Calochortus coeruleus (Kellogg) S.Watson
16. Calochortus concolor (Baker) Purdy & L.H.Bailey
17. Calochortus coxii M.R.Godfrey & Callahan
18. Calochortus davidsonianus Abrams
19. Calochortus dunnii Purdy
20. Calochortus elegans Pursh
21. Calochortus eurycarpus S.Watson
22. Calochortus excavatus Greene
23. Calochortus exilis Painter
24. Calochortus fimbriatus H.P.McDonald
25. Calochortus flexuosus S.Watson
26. Calochortus foliosus Ownbey
27. Calochortus fuscus Schult.f.
28. Calochortus ghiesbreghtii S.Watson
29. Calochortus greenei S.Watson
30. Calochortus gunnisonii S.Watson
31. Calochortus hartwegii Benth.
32. Calochortus howellii S.Watson
33. Calochortus × indecorus Ownbey & M.Peck
34. Calochortus invenustus Greene
35. Calochortus kennedyi Porter
36. Calochortus leichtlinii Hook.f.
37. Calochortus longibarbatus S.Watson
38. Calochortus luteus Douglas ex Lindl.
39. Calochortus lyallii Baker
40. Calochortus macrocarpus Douglas
41. Calochortus marcellae G.L.Nesom
42. Calochortus mendozae Espejo, López-Ferr. & Ceja
43. Calochortus minimus Ownbey
44. Calochortus monanthus Ownbey
45. Calochortus monophyllus (Lindl.) Lem.
46. Calochortus multicolor García-Mend., D.Sandoval & C.Chávez
47. Calochortus nigrescens Ownbey
48. Calochortus nitidus Douglas
49. Calochortus nudus S.Watson
50. Calochortus nuttallii Torr.
51. Calochortus obispoensis Lemmon
52. Calochortus occidentalis M.A.García-Mart. & Aarón Rodr.
53. Calochortus ownbeyi M.A.García-Mart., Aarón Rodr. & H.P.McDonald
54. Calochortus palmeri S.Watson
55. Calochortus panamintensis (Ownbey) Reveal
56. Calochortus persistens Ownbey
57. Calochortus plummerae Greene
58. Calochortus pringlei B.L.Rob.
59. Calochortus pulchellus (Benth.) Alph.Wood
60. Calochortus purpureus (Kunth) Baker
61. Calochortus raichei Farwig & V.Girard
62. Calochortus rustvoldii Callahan
63. Calochortus simulans (Hoover) Munz
64. Calochortus spatulatus S.Watson
65. Calochortus splendens Douglas ex Benth.
66. Calochortus striatus Parish
67. Calochortus subalpinus Piper
68. Calochortus superbus Purdy ex Howell
69. Calochortus syntrophus Callahan
70. Calochortus tiburonensis A.J.Hill
71. Calochortus tolmiei Hook. & Arn.
72. Calochortus umbellatus Alph.Wood
73. Calochortus umpquaensis Fredricks
74. Calochortus uniflorus Hook. & Arn.
75. Calochortus venustulus Greene
76. Calochortus venustus Douglas ex Benth.
77. Calochortus vestae (Purdy) Wallace
78. Calochortus weedii Alph.Wood
79. Calochortus westonii Eastw.

The Importance of Conservation

Sadly, many Calochortus species are facing threats due to habitat loss and degradation. It’s crucial that we take steps to protect these beautiful plants and ensure their survival for future generations. By supporting conservation efforts and practicing responsible gardening, we can all play a part in preserving the magic of Calochortus.

A Lifelong Passion

My journey with Calochortus has been a rewarding one. These captivating plants have brought me immense joy and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I encourage you to seek out these botanical treasures and experience their beauty for yourself. Whether you’re hiking in their native habitat or cultivating them in your own garden, Calochortus is sure to leave a lasting impression.