Calochortus superbus
A California-native, bulb-forming perennial reaching 40–60 cm tall with basal leaves, bears blooms ranging from white to cream to yellow to nearly purple in sun to partial shade on well-drained soil, and bulbs were historically eaten by Indigenous peoples.
Common Names
Superb Mariposa Lily, Yellow Mariposa Lily
Summary
The superb mariposa lily is a California-native bulbous perennial herb with stems 40–60 cm tall and basal leaves up to 30 cm that wither by flowering; bulblets are present; the inflorescence is typically a loose cluster of 1–3 erect, bell-shaped flowers with petals white to lavender or yellow blotched with yellow at the bases and a darker spot within the yellow area, plus a squarish nectary, and it flowers from May to July in open grassland, woodland, dry meadows, and yellow-pine forest.
In cultivation it tolerates summer-dry climates, prefers full sun to partial shade, and requires deep, well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established with minimal water during the growing season, it suits xeriscaping and rock gardens, forms clumps, and features striking blooms in white, yellow, or purple; bulbs lift after foliage dies and division after flowering is possible; propagation by seed is possible (sowing when ripe or in early spring; germination 1–6 months at 15°C; seedlings take 5–7 years to flower); it is garden-friendly and attractive to butterflies.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
16-24 inches
Spread
3-8 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7a-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Bloom Color
White, Yellow, Purple
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Bulb division (basal bulblets), Stem bulbils
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Purdy ex Howell
- Publication
- Leafl. W. Bot. 1: 11 (1932)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Liliales
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Genus
- Calochortus
Synonyms
Calochortus luteus var. citrinus Mariposa pratensis Mariposa superba Calochortus luteus var. robustus Calochortus pratensis Calochortus superbus var. pratensis Calochortus venustus var. citrinus Calochortus venustus var. lilacinus