Calochortus minimus explained

Calochortus minimus is a California species of flowering plants in the lily family known by the common name Sierra mariposa lily.^[1]

Description

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.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Calochortus minimus is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it is a common member of the flora along mountain lakesides from Plumas County to Tulare County.^[3]

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment - Calochortus minimus
• United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile - Calochortus minimus
• Calochortus minimus Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California

Notes and References

1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16163416#page/441/mode/1up Ownbey, Francis Marion 1940. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 27(4): 430–432
2. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101480 Flora of North America: Calochortus minimus
3. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Calochortus+minimus Calfora taxon report, University of California, Calochortus minimus F. Ownbey, Sierra mariposa, Sierra mariposa lily