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Liliaceae
Catalina Mariposa Lily
Calochortus catalinae
Hidden treasure.
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Genus
- Calochortus
- Native to
- Southern California
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- bulb
- Height
- 1-2 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- rocky, well-drained soil
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 8-10
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The name 'mariposa' is Spanish for butterfly, inspired by the delicate, wing-like petals of the flower.
- Catalina mariposa lily bulbs were an important food source for the Chumash and other Native California peoples.
- The genus Calochortus means 'beautiful grass' in Greek, referring to the grass-like leaves.
- This species is named for Santa Catalina Island but is actually more common on the Southern California mainland.
- Mariposa lilies go completely dormant in summer, disappearing underground to survive the dry California heat.
Color meanings
0
rare beauty
1
California spirit