# Plummer's Mariposa Lily (*Calochortus plummerae*) Plummer's Mariposa Lily is a beautiful flower with bright yellow petals that look like little cups. It blooms in the spring and can be found in special places where it gets plenty of sunshine. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Plummer's Mariposa Lily](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mariposa_Lily_in_Frankin_Canyon.jpg&width=800) Photo: user:Geographer, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mariposa_Lily_in_Frankin_Canyon.jpg) ## Appearance The Plummer's Mariposa Lily has vibrant cup-shaped flowers, often orange, yellow, or reddish-orange. Its three petals are uniquely marked with a band of purplish-red and often covered in delicate hairs, making it visually distinct from other wildflowers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Liliales - **Family:** Liliaceae - **Genus:** Calochortus ## Interesting facts - Each petal often has a distinct, hairy yellow patch, guiding thirsty bees inside! - It was named after Sara Plummer Lemmon, a pioneering American botanist! - Its name 'Mariposa' means butterfly in Spanish, because its petals are so colorful! - Native Americans historically ate its bulbs, which taste a bit like potatoes! ## Special abilities - **Drought Survivor:** Plummer's Mariposa Lily can thrive in dry, rocky hillsides because it stores water and nutrients in its underground bulb. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Plummer's Mariposa Lily has hairy, colorful markings on its petals that act like landing strips to guide insects to its nectar. - **Fire Resilience:** Plummer's Mariposa Lily's deep bulbs can often survive wildfires, allowing it to re-sprout after the flames pass. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 3-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — collects pollen and nectar - **Eaten by:** [Botta's Pocket Gopher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bottas-pocket-gopher) (*Thomomys bottae*) — eats its underground bulbs ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick flowers; they are best enjoyed in nature! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Plummer's Mariposa Lily? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Plummer's Mariposa Lily? 20-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Plummer's Mariposa Lily? 3-5 cm ### When does Plummer's Mariposa Lily bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Plummer's Mariposa Lily edible? Yes ### Is Plummer's Mariposa Lily toxic? None ### What is Plummer's Mariposa Lily's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is Plummer's Mariposa Lily pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Crystal Lake Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-lake-recreation-area) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Descanso Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/descanso-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Jungleland USA](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jungleland-usa) — California, US · Zoo - [Shambala Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shambala-preserve) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Plummer's Mariposa Lily](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plummers-mariposa-lily) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Plummer's Mariposa Lily: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plummers-mariposa-lily)