| Calochortus minimus Sierra mariposa lily |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Calochortus |
| Species: | C. minimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Calochortus minimus Ownbey |
|
Calochortus minimus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Sierra mariposa lily.
Calochortus minimus is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it is a common member of the flora along mountain lakesides.
Calochortus minimus is a perennial herb producing an unbranching stem no taller than 10 centimeters. The basal leaf is 10 to 20 centimeters long and does not wither at flowering. The inflorescence bears up to 10 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three pointed sepals and three small white petals. The fruit is a winged capsule up to 2 centimeters long.