Clubhair mariposa lily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clubhair mariposa lily |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochortus
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| Species: |
clavatus
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The Calochortus clavatus, also known as the clubhair mariposa lily, is a beautiful type of mariposa lily. This special flower grows only in California, where you can find it in forests and on sunny, brushy hillsides called chaparral.
What Does the Clubhair Mariposa Lily Look Like?
This lily can grow quite tall, with stems reaching up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) high. It has long, narrow leaves that grow only at the bottom of the plant.
The Unique Flower
At the top of the stem, you'll see a lovely lily bloom. The outer leaf-like parts, called sepals, can be up to 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) long. The colorful petals are even longer, up to 2 inches (5 centimeters). They are bright yellow, often with a darker line or a few bands near their base, which can be red.
One of the most interesting features of this flower is the tiny hairs inside its cup. These hairs have little club-shaped ends, which is how the lily gets its common name, "clubhair." The parts that hold pollen, called anthers, are often a deep purple color. After the flower blooms, it forms a seed pod, or capsule, which can grow up to 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) long.
Different Kinds of Clubhair Mariposa Lilies
Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are different types, or varieties, of the Clubhair Mariposa Lily. These varieties might look slightly different or grow in specific areas within California. Some of these include:
- Calochortus clavatus var. avius — found in the foothills of the northwestern Sierra Nevada.
- Calochortus clavatus var. clavatus — the most common type.
- Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis — also known as the slender Mariposa lily, found in western mountain ranges like the San Gabriels and Santa Monicas.
- Calochortus clavatus var. pallidus — a lighter-colored variety.
- Calochortus clavatus var. recurvifolius — called the Arroyo de la Cruz mariposa lily, found in the southern California Coast Ranges.
