White Mariposa Lily (Calochortus eurycarpus)

A closeup of a flower bunch with 3 rounded white petals having a single purple spot in the center of each, and 3 spear like petals between each of the rounded petals. — White Mariposa Lily (*Calochortus eurycarpus*), iNaturalist, by Morgan Stickrod, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

By Gene Yates

Range map of the White Mariposa Lily. States are colored green where the lily may be found. — USDA Plants Database, White Mariposa Lily (*Calochortus eurycarpus*) range map.

Often found in masses, white mariposa lily provides a striking foreground standing proud among the grasses and herbs of mountain meadows, grasslands, and open forest throughout the intermountain west.

A member of the lily family, white mariposa lily grows from a perennial bulb with a single grass-like stem up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall bearing 1-5 flowers. The flower features three large white petals each with a prominent purple blotch in the center. Near the base of each petal a small, yellow, crescent-shaped gland attracts beetles by secreting a nectar-like substance. However, mariposa lilies are believed to be pollinator “generalists” and attract a variety of insects including bees, wasps, bee-flies, in addition to several kinds of beetles. White mariposa lily blooms from late May through July, depending on local conditions such as elevation and aspect.

White mariposa lily is difficult to cultivate either by seed or bulb and is not suited for the home native plant garden.

For More Information

PLANTS Profile - Calochortus eurycarpus, White Mariposa Lily

A closeup of a flower having three rounded petals with a single large purple dot in the center of each. — The violet patches on the three petals of the mariposa lily serve as nectar guides to its many pollinators, especially beetles. (*Photo by Gene Yates*)