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Bruneau Mariposa Lily

Scientific Name:

Calochortus bruneaunis

Type:

Herbaceous Plant

Habitat:

Dry sagebrush steppe

Range:

Great Basin, including Nevada and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah

Status:

Secure (NatureServe)

This species is

NATIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

The lovely flowers are found on the top of a slim stem about 16 inches tall. The flower has three rounded petals and three shorter, pointed sepals. On the inside of the petals there is a purple arch above a yellow blotch. The hairs surround a nectary. The leaves are linear and usually wither before the flower blooms. Blooming season is from May to July.

Fast Facts:

  • Bruneau mariposa lilies can be found in Hidden Valley Regional Park in good water years.

  • The bulbs of these lilies were eaten by indigenous Americans.

  • The genus name Calochortus, comes from the Greek; kallos meaning beautiful and chortus meaning grass.

  • Native to sagebrush steppe, Bruneau mariposa lily flowers can sometimes be seen growing out of the middle of a sagebrush bush.

Sources:

Contributor(s):

Emma Wynn (research, content, and photos)

Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)

Last Updated:

May 12, 2021 at 7:54:37 PM

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