PBS Forum

Do Calochortus superbus come in yellow or is this Calochortus superbus x luteus.
Jim Barton

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What a stunning flower!  Are you lucky enough to be growing it in your garden?

According to the book Calochortus by Mary Gerritsen and Ron Parsons, Calochortus superbus is variable, and can have white, yellow, pink or purple flowers. They all seem to have very dark blotches, often surrounded by a rim of bright yellow.

Calochortus luteus is also variable, but the bright yellow petals are stippled with reddish brown marks.  

The two species often produce hybrids.

All the marks on your flower are dark red.  Could it be luteus?

Diane Whitehead