Calochortus vestae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. vestae |
Binomial name | |
Calochortus vestae Purdy |
Calochortus vestae is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name coast range mariposa lily. It is endemic to the forests of the North Coast Ranges of California, where it generally grows in clay soils.
It is a perennial herb producing a branching stem between 30 and 50 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is 10 to 20 centimeters long and withers by flowering.
The inflorescence is a loose cluster of 1 to 6 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three petals up to about 4 centimeters long and three sepals 2 to 3 centimeters long beneath. The petals are white to purplish in color with a central area of pale yellow with a darker reddish or brownish blotch within. At the base of each petal is a red-streaked patch of hairs.