About Calochortus pulchellus (Benth.) Alph.Wood
Calochortus pulchellus is a perennial herb that produces a branching stem reaching up to around 30 centimeters in height. Its basal leaf can grow up to 40 centimeters long and does not wilt when the plant flowers. There are an additional 2 or 3 smaller leaves positioned higher along the stem. The inflorescence may hold either a single solitary flower or a cluster of multiple flowers. These flowers are nodding and typically spherical in shape, with all of their petal tips touching one another. The three sepals and three petals are each 2 to 3 centimeters long, and range in color from pale to deep yellow. The inner surface of the petals is thinly hairy, and the petals are often edged with a fringe of yellow hairs. The plant produces a winged capsule fruit that measures 2 to 3 centimeters in length. Previously included varieties have been reclassified: Calochortus pulchellus var. amabilis is now classified as Calochortus amabilis, Calochortus pulchellus var. maculosus is now also classified as Calochortus amabilis, and Calochortus pulchellus var. parviflorus is now classified as Calochortus monophyllus.
