Calochortus species T through U are found on this page.
Calochortus species A-B -- Calochortus species C-D -- Calochortus species E-Lo -- Calochortus species Lu-N -- Calochortus species O-R -- Calochortus species S -- Calochortus species V-Z -- Calochortus hybrids -- Calochortus index
Calochortus tiburonensis, also known as the Tiburon Mariposa, probably has the most limited range of all Calochortus species. It is only known from one, very small locality, the summit (and a little below) of Ring Mountain on the Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County California. It is also a very "secretive" plant. You can be looking right at it, and not even see it!. The colors are well camouflaged against the back drop of dried grasses, and greenish-brown rocks. This species has erect, 10-60 cm glaucous stems, usually unbranched, bearing one to eight, 3-4 cm bowl shaped flowers. The photos below are by Mary Gerritsen
Calochortus tolmiei has a long range from the north central Coast ranges of California to the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It is found in scree and coastal meadows at low to moderate elevations, on flats and slopes, in mixed conifer forests and from bdeep shade to sun. It often occurs in areas with a lot or winter rainfall. It is very similar to Calochortus coeruleus and Calochortus elegans. It can be white, lavender, purple, or bicolored. It is often challenging to grow, perhaps because it is so variable in where it is found that it would be difficult to know exactly what each bulbs wants. Photos below taken by Mary Sue Ittner of several different forms. The last picture is called the "Humboldt" form by Telos Rare Bulbs. It is very low to the ground.
The pictures below taken by Bob Rutemoeller show it in habitat, growing on the rocky bluff right next to the ocean in Sonoma County, California. 
Two pictures below of this species taken by different photographers. The first was photographed on April 20, 2006 by Jim McKenney in his east coast USDA zone 7 garden. At this stage and from this angle, it suggests a highly sanitized, PG-13 version of Dracunculus muscivorus. The last picture was taken by Mark Mazer of one grown from Ron Ratko seed.
Calochortus umbellatus is found on hillsides and slopes, either under trees or shrubs or in grasslands in areas where there is moderate rainfall and mild cool winters in the central Coast ranges of California around San Francisco Bay. It is very similar to Calochortus uniflorus but does not form bulbils, has longer stems which are often branched and is usually white. It often has lavender or purple spots at the base of the petals or pink and lavender stripes. It is often the first species in bloom for me and sometimes the longest (December to March some years.) The first two photos by Mary Sue Ittner and the last by Bob Werra.
Calochortus umpquaensis grows naturally in open woodlands on a steep north-facing serpentine along the Umpqua River in southwestern Oregon. These bulbs were purchased from the Robinett Bulb Farm in 1999, their last year. The first two photos were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner. The last two by Mary Gerritsen are photos of wild populations near the Umpqua river in southwestern Oregon.
Calochortus uniflorus, found in temporarily wet meadows and prairies in the central and north coast ranges. This species is one of the easiest to grow and increases by bulbils. The first photo was taken by Sheila Burrow. The next three photos by Bob Rutemoeller show pictures of several forms grown from seed collected from a local Northern California population where it grows in an open area near the Pacific Ocean.
Habitat pictures taken in Sonoma County by Bob Rutemoeller where they are blooming in an open grassy area.
Calochortus species A-B -- Calochortus species C-D -- Calochortus species E-Lo -- Calochortus species Lu-N -- Calochortus species O-R -- Calochortus species S -- Calochortus species V-Z -- Calochortus hybrids -- Calochortus index
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