PBSWiki - Calochortus Species Four

Calochortus species starting with Lu and ending with N are found on this page.

Calochortus species A-B -- Calochortus species C-D -- Calochortus species E-Lo -- Calochortus species O-R -- Calochortus species S -- Calochortus species T-U -- Calochortus species V-Z -- Calochortus hybrids -- Calochortus index

Calochortus luteus is one of the more common mariposas found in foothills throughout the Coast Ranges and western Sierra Nevada foothills of California. It is found in grassy meadows and banks, either flat or gently sloped. It has yellow flowers in various shades of yellow, with varying degrees of penciling or red-brown lines and sometimes with a red-brown circular blotch above the gland. These first three pictures by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner show some of the variations in form in garden grown plants. The last two photos by Mary Sue Ittner were taken in Merced County California in April 2005 where they were growing in a grassy area with Brodiaea californica ssp. leptandra and Triteleia hyacinthina.

Another view of Calochortus luteus still in tight bud, growing in my garden. Notice the reflexed sepals are also interestingly speckled with brownish-red. Bulbs from Paige Woodward at Pacific Rim Nursery. Rather similar to the selection 'Golden Orb'. Photo by Mark McDonough.

Calochortus luteus is readily seen in the various grassy meadows on Mount Tamalpais (Marin County, California) which is where two photos on the left were taken; the right photo is from a site on the Tiburon peninsula, at the base of Ring Mountain. Photos by Mary Gerritsen

Calochortus luteus 'Golden Orb' is a cultivar of outstanding beautiful yellow flowers, container grown and photographed below in the first photograph by Doug Westfall. It was selected from a wild form of Calochortus luteus. Two more views of this lovely cultivar, growing in my garden in northern Massachusetts. For bulbs that need some summer drying, I grow them at the base of shrubs and small trees, which seems to work well. The stems are tall, to 30" (75 cm), topped with many buds and startling bowl-shaped yellow flowers, speckled brown within. The individual blooms last a good long time, thus are useful for bright color in late June through July. The second two photos were taken by Mark McDonough.

Calochortus macrocarpus is the sole member of the Section Mariposa, Subsection Macrocarpi. The flowers characteristially have sepals that exceed the petals, a triangular nectary with branched processes, and bulbs with membranous tunics. Also known as the "Sagebrush Mariposa Tulip, or Green-Band Mariposa Tulip Calochortus macrocarpus is one of the largest flowered Calochortus species, in addition to the honor of being one of the most widespread species. It is found in southern British Columbia, east to Idaho, Montana, and south through Washington, Idaho, and northeast California. There is also a disjunct population in Elko County Nevada. The plants are found in full sun in open prairie, high desert (usually around sagebrush) , pine forests, and high montane forests. It is often found in volcanic, ultramafic or sandy soils at elevations from 330-2700m. (Photos by Mary Gerritsen; from a population on the eastern flanks of the Cascades, Washington, July 2007).

A distinct variety, Calochortus macrocarpus var. maculosus is generally white, with greenish sepals shorter than the nominate race and typically found in hot dry canyons in Idaho and northeast Oregon. (Photo from a population just east of Lewiston Idaho by Mary Gerritsen, July 2007)

Calochortus mendozae is the most recently described Mexican species (2005). Thus far it has only been found in a very limited area near the municipality of San Nicolas Tolentina in the state of San Luis Potosi. This species is in section Cyclobothra, subsection Ghiestbreghtiani. Photo by Mary Gerritsen (September 2007).

Calochortus monophyllus is a woodlands species from the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is a short and prefers part shade. Flowers are golden yellow, with or without dark red-brown spots. The first photo by Bob Rutemoeller is of a garden plant. It is followed by photos of wild populations seen in Butte County, California. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner

Photo below by Mary Gerritsen is of a wild population in Tuolumne County, CA.

Calochortus nigrescens is one of the Mexican species, section Cyclobothra, subsection Barbati. It is also known as the "Black Cyclobothra". This species seems to be quite rare (recently only found in the state of Oaxaca, although it was apparently originally collected in Puebla) and where it does occur, it is either in wetlands surrounded by dry areas or in watercourses. The species is quite diminutive and can be quite difficult to find even in a locality where it is known to occur. Photos by Mary Gerritsen

Calochortus nitidus is found in low meadows, along creeks, in southeastern Washington and adjacent Idaho. It has large purple flowers with a deep purple crescent on each petal above the gland and some long flexuous hairs. My bulbs were originally purchased from the Robinett Bulb farm and rarely bloomed until I started making sure they had water during their summer dormancy. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner showing the beautiful back and looking down on the flower. I found it a little difficult to photograph.

The photos of Calochortus nitidus below were taken at a site south of Moscow, Idaho, July 2007. The photo on the far right gives an idea of the habitat. Photos by Mary Gerritsen

Calochortus nudus, commonly known as the "Naked Star Tulip" has a 7-25 cm erect stem usually unbranched, with one to three 15-25 cm flowers (although occasionally as many as six may be found). This species is found in Jackson County Oregon, south to the central Sierra Nevada of California. It is typically found in mountain valleys with vernally moist, grassy meadows, shady conditions, and often near water, elevation 1000-2500 m. The photos below are from a population near Castle Crags State Park, Lassen County, California. Photos by Mary Gerritsen

Calochortus nuttallii, also known as the Sego Lily, is the state flower of Utah. In Utah, it is well known as the bulb that the early Mormon settlers dug up and ate, saving them from starvation when food had become very scarce after a crop-devouring plague of crickets (1840-1851). This is a very elegant and widespread species, with erect to somewhat lax stems 10-40 cm bearing one to five open cup shaped flowers. The petals are usually white, but pink, lavender, orange and even plum colored forms have been seen. The photos below were taken at various sites in western Colorado (e.g. Colorado National Monument) and nearby areas in eastern Utah (e.g. Arches National Park) in late May, 2007. Photos by Mary Gerritsen

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