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Gunnison's Mariposa Lily

Calochortus gunnisonii

Gunnison's Mariposa Lily is a beautiful flower that blooms in bright yellow and white colors. It grows in the mountains and is a special sight during springtime when it opens up to the sun!

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Gunnison's Mariposa Lily has large, showy, bell-shaped flowers, often white, lavender, or purple with a distinctive green-striped base and yellow hairs on the inner petals. Its upright stem supports cup-like blooms that stand out against its narrow, grass-like leaves.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusCalochortus
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
bell_shaped_flower trait badgeflowering trait badgespring_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily

Category

Plants

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

3

Interesting facts

Each beautiful flower only blooms for a few short weeks each summer!

Its nutritious bulbs were a vital food source for Native American tribes!

Look closely for a 'hairy' yellow gland near its petal bases – it's fascinating!

The 'mariposa' in its name means 'butterfly' in Spanish, for its delicate wings!

Special abilities

Ability

Sun-Tracker Bloom

Gunnison's Mariposa Lily can twist its stems to face the sun, helping its flowers soak up maximum light for photosynthesis.

Ability

Rocky Resilience

Gunnison's Mariposa Lily has a strong bulb that helps it survive harsh winters and grow in rocky, dry soils.

Ability

Nectar Beacon

Gunnison's Mariposa Lily has brightly colored petals and guiding hairs that direct pollinators to its sweet nectar.

Measurements & details

Height
15-50 cm
Flower Size
3-5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look at flowers but don't pick them. They are homes for butterflies and bees!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Gunnison's Mariposa Lily?

The easiest way to identify Gunnison's Mariposa Lily is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Gunnison's Mariposa Lily?

15-50 cm

How big are the flowers on Gunnison's Mariposa Lily?

3-5 cm

When does Gunnison's Mariposa Lily bloom?

Summer

Is Gunnison's Mariposa Lily edible?

No

Is Gunnison's Mariposa Lily toxic?

None

What is Gunnison's Mariposa Lily's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Gunnison's Mariposa Lily pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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