Desert Mariposa (Calochortus kennedyi)

Family Liliaceae

Also called the Mariposa Tulip or Mariposa Lily, this brilliant flower usually blooms in April in our area (the photos here were taken on April 8 & 9, 2004, following some very good rains). The Desert Mariposa is very much distinctive of Arizona deserts below 5,000' -- these we have seen in Saguaro Juniper's Northeast Corner around 4,000'. Below left: a Mariposa plant displays its few, grayish-green, sheath-like leaves and two spiraling buds; right: the flower seen from above. Click on each image to enlarge it.