Calochortus dunnii is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Dunn's mariposa lily.
| Calochortus dunnii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Calochortus |
| Species: | C. dunnii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calochortus dunnii Purdy
| |
Distribution
editThe plant is endemic to the Peninsular Ranges, native to southern San Diego County, California; and northern Baja California state, Mexico. It is known from only a few occurrences in chaparral, grassland, and Closed-cone coniferous forest habitats, at 185–1,830 feet (56–558 m) in elevation in the Cuyamaca Mountains, Laguna Mountains, and others.[2][3]
Description
editCalochortus dunnii is a perennial herb growing a slender, branching stem up to 60 centimeters tall. The waxy, channeled basal leaf is 10 to 20 centimeters long and withers at flowering.
The inflorescence bears 2 to 6 erect bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three sepals and three white or pinkish petals. The petals are up to 3 centimeters long and spotted with red and yellow near the bases, where there are patches of yellow hairs.
The fruit is a narrow, angled capsule 2 to 3 centimeters long.
Conservation
editAlthough the plant isn't seriously impacted by any one major problem,[1] the main threat to the existence of this rare species is collecting by admirers of the attractive flowers.[4]
References
editExternal links
edit
Media related to Calochortus dunnii (category) at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Calochortus dunnii at Wikispecies- Calflora Database: Calochortus dunnii (Dunn's mariposa lily)
- Jepson Manual Treatment of Calochortus dunnii
- USDA Plants Profile for Calochortus dunnii (Dunn's mariposa lily)
- Flora of North America
- UC Photos gallery — Calochortus dunnii
