Calochortus is a genus of flowering plants in the lily family. The group includes herbaceous, perennial and bulbous species, all native to North America (primarily the Western United States). The genus Calochortus includes mariposas (or mariposa lilies) with open wedge-shaped petals, globe lilies and fairy lanterns with globe-shaped flowers, and cat's ears and star tulips with erect pointed petals. The word Calochortus is derived from Greek and means "beautiful grass". Description Calochortus flowers have six tepals. Unlike most other Liliaceae, Calochortus tepals are in two series that differ in size and color. The outer three are generally narrower and more sepal-like, while the inner three are larger, usually with bright marks at the base. They may be described as petals. The flowers are borne on a stem that arises from a bulb, generally in the spring or early summer. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, purple, bluish, or streaked. The insides of the petals are often very 'hairy'. These hairs, along with the nectaries, are often used in distinguishing species from each other. Species Calochortus albus white globelily - CA, Baja California Calochortus amabilis short lily - CA Calochortus ambiguus doubting mariposa lily - UT AZ NM Sonora Calochortus amoenus purple globelily - CA Calochortus apiculatus pointedtip mariposa lily - British Columbia, Alberta, WA OR ID MT WY Calochortus argillosus - CA Calochortus aureus golden mariposa lily - UT CO AZ NM Calochortus balsensis - Oaxaca, Guerrero Calochortus barbatus yellow globe lily - from Chihuahua to Oaxaca Calochortus bruneaunis Bruneau mariposa lily - CA OR NV UT ID MT Calochortus catalinae Santa Catalina mariposa lily — (threatened by development) CA Calochortus cernuus - Morelos Calochortus ciscoensis - UT Calochortus clavatus clubhair mariposa lily - CA Calochortus clavatus var. avius -rare, Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis Calochortus clavatus ssp. clavatus Calochortus clavatus ssp. pallidus Calochortus clavatus ssp. recurvifolius — rare Calochortus coeruleus beavertail grass - CA Calochortus concolor goldenbowl mariposa lily - CA, Baja California Calochortus coxii Cox's mariposa lily - OR Calochortus dunnii Dunn's mariposa lily — rare - CA, Baja California Calochortus elegans northwestern mariposa lily; star tulip - CA OR WA ID MT Calochortus elegans var. elegans elegant mariposa lily Calochortus elegans var. nanus Calochortus elegans var. oreophilus elegant mariposa lily Calochortus elegans var. selwayensis Selway mariposa lily Calochortus eurycarpus white mariposa lily - OR WA NV ID MT WY Calochortus excavatus Inyo mariposa lily — (threatened by groundwater