SafePlants

Winding Mariposa Lily (Calochortus flexuosus)

The Calochortus flexuosus, commonly known as the Winding Mariposa Lily or Straggling Mariposa Lily, is a charming wildflower found in the American Southwest.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant grows from a bulb, which might be of interest to digging pets.
• The plant's stems can be twining or straggling over the ground.

Considerations for Children

• The plant's stems can be twining or straggling over the ground.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Calochortus flexuosus S. Watson
• Common Names: Winding Mariposa Lily, Straggling Mariposa Lily, Weakstem Mariposa Lily, Trailing Mariposa Lily
• Family: Liliaceae (Lily family)
• Genus: Calochortus
• Species: flexuosus
• Synonyms: Some sources list Calochortus flexuosus S. Watson (1873) as a synonym.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the American Southwest.
• Often found in semi-desert environments.
• Observed in locations like Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, the Kaibab National Forest (Arizona), Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada), and south of Chicken Point in Sedona, Arizona.

Morphological Characteristics

• A bulbous perennial wildflower.
• Height ranges from 8 to 18 inches (approximately 20 to 46 cm), though some sources mention up to 60-80 cm.
• Stems are twining or straggling, branching, and often sinuous.
• Flower petals can be white, lilac, or pink, sometimes with a band of color. Some may have maroon and yellow blotches.

Conservation Status

• Ranked as globally secure (G4) by NatureServe, but considered imperiled in some regions.

Quirky Facts

• The plant's stems can be described as "twining or scambling."

Further Information

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: A resource for North America's native plants.
• Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Calochortus flexuosus.
• Colorado State University (UCSU) collections may contain specimens.