Dunn's mariposa lily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunn's mariposa lily |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochortus
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| Species: |
dunnii
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Calochortus dunnii is a very rare and beautiful flowering plant. It is often called Dunn's mariposa lily and belongs to the lily family.
Where It Lives
Dunn's mariposa lily grows only in a special area called the Peninsular Ranges. This means it is endemic (found nowhere else) to southern San Diego County in California, and northern Baja California state in Mexico.
You can find this rare plant in just a few places. It likes to grow in chaparral (a type of shrubland), grasslands, and certain pine forests. It lives at elevations from about 185 to 1830 meters (600 to 6,000 feet) high. Some of the mountains where it grows include the Cuyamaca Mountains and the Laguna Mountains.
What It Looks Like
Calochortus dunnii is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also an herb, so it does not have a woody stem like a tree.
- Stem: It grows a thin, branching stem that can reach up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall.
- Leaves: The plant has a waxy, channeled leaf at its base. This leaf is usually 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long. It dries up and withers away when the plant starts to flower.
- Flowers: Each plant usually has 2 to 6 bell-shaped flowers that stand upright. Each flower has three sepals (leaf-like parts that protect the bud) and three petals. The petals can be white or pinkish and grow up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. Near the bottom of the petals, you can see red and yellow spots. There are also patches of soft yellow hairs.
- Fruit: After the flower blooms, it forms a narrow, angled capsule. This fruit is about 2 to 3 centimeters (1 inch) long.
Protecting This Plant
Dunn's mariposa lily is a rare plant, and it is important to protect it. One of the main challenges for this species is when people pick its beautiful flowers. While admiring the flowers is natural, collecting wild plants can harm their populations. It is best to enjoy these rare plants by observing them in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Protecting their homes and letting them grow freely helps keep them safe for the future.
