Broadfruit Mariposa Lily
Calochortus nitidus
- Native to:
- United States
Unknown author Unknown author
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Genus:
- Calochortus
- Species:
- Calochortus nitidus
- USDA Symbol:
- CANI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, lavender, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, native pollinators
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open grasslands and meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification; bulbs take several years to reach flowering size from seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Extended cold, moist stratification is needed. Seed stratified in petri dishes in a refrigerator at 5°C for 90 days.
Establishment: Endemic to grasslands and low meadows of extreme eastern Washington and adjacent northern Idaho. It is ranked S1 by the Washington Natural Heritage Program, S3 by the Idaho Conservation Data Center, and a 'species of concern' by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act.
Source: npn.rngr.net