Calochortus tolmiei

Habit: perennial herb growing from a bulb producing a slender stem that is unbranched or branched. Foliage is blue-green with the basal leaf usually reaching heights greater than that of the stem. The small upright inflorescence is a single or cluster of bell-shaped flowers with 3 white petals and light purple to pink highlights. Flowers are very hairy on the inside and surrounded by 3 narrow sepals that vary in color from green to white to purple. Fruit is a 3-winged capsule that droops. Blooms between April and June.

Ecology: found on dry open grassy slopes and woodlands, commonly in dry poor soil west of the Cascades at elevations from 160-6500 ft (50-2000m).

Growing Conditions: full sun to deep shade, needs good drainage and prefers sandy soil.

Named after the Spanish word for butterfly “mariposa”.  Calochortus tolmiei’s bulb is edible.