Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Calochortus amoenus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is commonly known as purple fairy-lantern. It is endemic to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada foothills of central California. This is a perennial herb producing a branching stem to heights between 20 and 50 centimeters. The leaf at the base of the stem is narrow in shape, reaching up to 50 centimeters long and not withering away at flowering. There are two or three smaller leaves along the stem. The flower cluster bears two or more nodding flowers, each with its petals curved closed into a spherical shape. Each flower has rose-colored sepals and petals, the petals fringed and lined with long, pink whiskery hairs. The fruit is a winged capsule 2 or 3 centimeters long containing dark brown seeds.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

8 - 19 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, Purple

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Never irrigate once established

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

7*, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Site type

Grassy places

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana