About Calochortus palmeri S.Watson
Calochortus palmeri S.Watson is a perennial herb that grows a straight, branching stem reaching up to 60 centimeters tall. Its single basal leaf is 10 to 20 centimeters long, and it withers before the plant begins flowering. The inflorescence holds 1 to 6 erect, open bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three brown-speckled sepals 3 centimeters long, plus three wider petals each 2 or 3 centimeters long. The petals range in color from white to light lavender, and their bases may bear yellow or purple hairs, or lack hairs, depending on the plant's variety. There are two currently recognized varieties of this species. Calochortus palmeri var. munzii, commonly called Munz's mariposa lily, is the rarer of the two, and it is only known to occur in the Peninsular Ranges of Riverside and San Diego Counties. Calochortus palmeri var. palmeri, commonly called Palmer's mariposa lily, is native to the Transverse Ranges. One taxon formerly included under this species as Calochortus palmeri var. dunnii is now classified as the separate species Calochortus dunnii.
